The Cabinet on Wednesday announced revised Covid-19 measures in the country, which will come into effect on Saturday, February 12.
With this revision, it is no longer mandatory to wear masks outdoors except in certain cases, while more people are now allowed in social gatherings, weddings, at parks and beaches, as well as in local/international sporting events, conferences and exhibitions, etc.
HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani chaired the Cabinet's regular meeting held at its seat at the Amiri Diwan Wednesday.
Following the meeting, HE Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Mohamed bin Abdullah al-Sulaiti issued the following statement:
The Cabinet listened to an explanation given by HE the Minister of Public Health Dr Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari on the latest developments regarding the steps taken to limit the Covid-19 spread. After reviewing the report of the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management regarding the plan to gradually lift the restrictions, and due to the keenness on the health and safety of all members of society, it decided the following:
First:
1- The continuation of all employees in the government sector to carry out their work at their place of work and allowing all employees in the private sector to carry out their work at their place of work.
2- Continuing to allow meetings to be held for employees and workers in the government and private sectors who are present at their workplace in the presence of no more than 30 persons, who have completed the Covid-19 vaccine doses provided that the rest of the meetings will be held via videoconferencing.
3- Continuing to oblige all employees and workers in the public and private sectors to conduct a Covid-19 rapid test (rapid antigen) approved by the Ministry of Public Health, every week, for employees and workers who did not receive or complete the Covid-19 vaccine doses. Employees and workers who have completed the Covid-19 vaccine doses and those who have recovered from the disease are exempted from conducting this examination.
4- Obligating all citizens, residents and visitors to wear masks in all indoor places, and not obligating them to wear masks in outdoor places except in the following cases:
- Presence in public activities organised in the markets, exhibitions and during events.
- Presence on the premises of mosques, schools, universities and hospitals.
All workers in establishments, whose nature of work requires being in open spaces and communicating with customers, must wear masks during their work period.
5- Continuing to obligate all citizens, residents and visitors to activate the Ehteraz application on smartphones when leaving the house for any reason.
6- Continuing to open mosques to perform daily duties and Friday prayers, and allow children to enter, while adhering to the precautionary measures determined by the Ministry of Public Health and the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, and allowing the opening of toilets and ablution facilities in mosques determined by the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs.
7- Continuing to allow social gatherings in homes and majlises according to the following:
A- The presence of a maximum of 30 people who have completed the Covid-19 vaccine doses or a maximum of 5 people that did not complete or receive the Covid-19 vaccine in closed places in homes and majlises, with the exception of family members residing in the same house.
B- The presence of a maximum of 50 people who have completed the Covid-19 vaccine doses or a maximum of 5 people that did not complete or receive the Covid-19 vaccine in open spaces in homes and majlises, with the exception of family members residing in the same house.
8- Continuing to allow wedding parties to be held in wedding halls in hotels and independent wedding halls only, according to the following:
A- The presence of not more than 30% of the capacity of the closed wedding hall, with a maximum of 150 people and that the number of people who did not complete or receive the Covid-19 vaccine should not exceed 20 people within the mentioned percentage.
B- The presence of not more than 50% of the capacity of the open wedding hall, with a maximum of 300 people and that the number of people who did not complete or receive the Covid-19 vaccine should not exceed 50 people within the mentioned percentage.
9- Continuing to allow gatherings or sitting in public parks, beaches and the Corniche with a maximum of 30 people or family members residing in the same house, allowing to practise individual sports such as walking, running and cycling, allowing the opening of playgrounds and sports equipment in those places, allowing the opening of private beaches with a full capacity, and allowing the opening of toilets in the parks specified by the Ministry of Municipality.
10- Continuing to oblige all citizens, residents and visitors to a maximum of four people in the vehicle, including the driver of the vehicle, when leaving and moving for any reason, with the exception of family members residing in the same house.
11- Continuing to allow people to be transported by buses not to exceed 75% of the bus's capacity, while taking precautionary measures.
12- Continuing the operation of Metro and public transport services, not exceeding 75% of the capacity throughout the week, with the continued closure of places designated for smoking and not allowing food and drink in the mentioned means of transport.
13- Continuing to allow the opening of driving schools and the provision of their services, according to the following:
A- A full capacity if 75% or more of the total number of trainees have completed doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.
B- A capacity not exceeding 75% if the total percentage of trainees who have completed doses of the Covid-19 vaccine is less than 75%.
In all cases, all employees must have completed doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, with the obligation of all trainees who have not completed or did not receive doses of the vaccine to undergo a rapid antigen test certified by the Ministry of Public Health.
14- Continuing to allow the opening of theaters and cinemas and the provision of their services not exceeding 50% of the capacity, provided that among that 75 percent of customers have completed doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, allowing children to enter under the age of 12 and counting them within the percentage of 25 % allowed for those who did not complete or did not receive doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.
15- Educational centers and private training centers can continue to provide their services at a maximum 75% capacity and with full capacity if 75% of the trainees have completed doses of Covid-19 vaccine, with all the instructors working at these centers have completed the vaccine doses, while obligating trainees who did not receive or complete the doses of the Covid-19 vaccines to carry out a rapid antigen test accredited by the Ministry of Public Health.
16- Continuing to allow nurseries to open and provide their services at a maximum 75% capacity, provided that all workers have completed the Covid-19 vaccine doses.
17- Continuing to allow museums and public libraries to continue operating with a full capacity, allowing entry to everyone, whether those who have completed the Covid-19 vaccine doses or not, and allowing entry to children.
18- Continuing to allow centers for people with disabilities to provide their services with a maximum of five people per session, provided that all workers have completed the Covid-19 vaccine doses.
19- Continuing to allow professional sports training both indoors and outdoors, permitting preparatory training for local and international tournaments approved by the MoPH, and allow amateur training according to the following:
A- Allowing training of age groups (18 and under) with a maximum capacity of 40 persons outdoors and 30 persons indoors, provided that all have completed the doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, while obligating all trainees who did not complete or did not receive the vaccine doses to take a rapid antigen test approved by the Ministry of Public Health. Allowing the public to attend, and not exceeding 30% of the capacity indoors and 50% of the capacity outdoors.
B- Training children in private clubs with a maximum of 35 persons in open spaces who are vaccinated, and a maximum of 25 persons vaccinated people in closed spaces, with obligating the trainees who did not receive doses of the Covid-19 vaccine to take the Rapid Antigen test approved by the Ministry of Public Health, with no public attendance allowed.
20- Continuing to allow the hosting of local and international sporting events after obtaining the approval of the MoPH, with the presence of fans not surpassing the 75% capacity in outdoor venues, provided that they all completed the doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, and allowing the presence of a maximum 50% capacity of the fans in closed places, provided that they have completed the doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, and allow the establishment of local and special sports leagues and tournaments for age groups, and community sports tournaments and activities, after obtaining the approval of the Ministry of Public Health.
21- Continuing to allow the organisation of conferences, exhibitions, and events in accordance with the following:
A- A capacity not exceeding 75% in open spaces, provided that 90% of the participants who have completed the doses of the Covid-19 vaccine and with the obligation of those who did not complete or did not receive doses of the vaccine to take a rapid antigen test approved by the Ministry of Public Health or the PCR test.
B- A capacity not exceeding 50% in closed places, provided that among that percentage, 90% of the participants who have completed doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, with obligating those who did not complete or did not receive doses of the vaccine to take a rapid antigen test approved by the Ministry of Public Health or the PCR test.
In all cases, approval from the Ministry of Public Health is required before holding any conference, exhibition or event, and that all organisers and participants in such conferences, exhibitions and events have completed doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.
22- Continuing to allow the work of commercial complexes with a full capacity, and to allow the entry of everyone, whether those who have completed doses of the Covid-19 vaccine or not, and to allow the entry of children, and to allow the opening of common restaurant areas within the commercial complexes not exceeding 50% of the capacity, allowing the opening of mosques, changing rooms and toilets in those complexes, with all shops in those complexes adhering to the maximum number of customers allowed in them, which is determined by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
23- Continuing to allow restaurants and cafes to serve food and beverages according to the following:
A- In outdoor spaces, full capacity for restaurants and cafes that have the Qatar Clean certificate and a maximum capacity of 50% for restaurants and cafes that meet the conditions determined by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
B- In indoor places, a maximum capacity of 75% for restaurants and cafes that have the Qatar Clean certificate, and a maximum capacity of 40% for restaurants and cafes that meet the conditions determined by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, provided that all customers have completed the Covid-19 vaccine doses, and allow entry to children under 12 years of age accompanied by their families only.
In all cases, all workers in those facilities must have completed doses of the CovidD-19 vaccine.
24- Continuing to allow the opening of rental services of boats, tourist yachts and pleasure boats, provided that all workers have completed doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, and that the number of passengers on these boats and yachts does not exceed 50% of its capacity with a maximum of 40 people who have completed doses of the Covid-19 vaccine. Among them allowing the presence of 5 persons who have not completed or did not receive doses of the vaccine, including children. Owners of boats and personal yachts are obligated to comply with the aforementioned number, percentage and regulation.
25- Allowing popular markets to operate every day with a full capacity, allowing children to enter, with all stores in those markets adhering to the maximum number of customers allowed to be there, which is determined by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
26- Continuing the functioning of wholesale markets at a capacity not exceeding 75%, and allowing to everyone, whether those who have completed doses of the Covid-19 vaccine or not, allowing children to enter. All stores must adhere to the maximum number of customers allowed inside, which is determined by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and allowing auctions to be held in those markets.
27- Continuing to allow the opening of beauty and hairdressing salons with a capacity not exceeding 50%, provided that all workers in those facilities and clients have completed doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, and allowing the entry of children, taking into account that there are no more than two children under 12 years at the same time in those salons.
28- Continuing to allow the opening of amusement parks and all entertainment centers according to the following:
A- A capacity not exceeding 75% in open spaces.
B - A capacity not exceeding 50% in closed places, provided that 75% of the customers have completed doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, and allowing entry of children under 12 years, and counting them within the percentage of 25% allowed for those who did not complete or did not receive doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.
In all cases, all employees of these facilities must have completed doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.
29- Continuing to allow the opening of health clubs, physical training clubs, and massage services, not exceeding 75% of the capacity, and allowing the opening of changing rooms, showers, jacuzzi services, saunas, steam rooms, Moroccan and Turkish baths, provided that all employees of these facilities and customers have completed doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.
30- Continuing to allow the opening of swimming pools and water parks according to the following:
A- A capacity not exceeding 75% in open spaces.
B - A capacity not exceeding 50% in closed places, provided that 75% of the customers who have completed doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, and allowing entry to children under 12 years, and counting them within the percentage of 25% allowed for those who did not complete or did not receive doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.
In all cases, all employees of these facilities must have completed doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.
31- Continuing to allow medical services to be provided in private health care facilities with the full capacity of these facilities, provided that all workers have completed doses of the Covid-19 vaccine
32- Continuing to allow cleaning and hospitality companies to provide their services through their employees who have completed doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, whether in one or more homes, allowing the provision of cleaning and hospitality services to the facilities contracting with it during working hours with a full capacity, through its employees who have completed doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.
Second: Compliance with the health requirements, procedures, precautionary measures and controls determined by the Ministry of Public Health shall be taken into consideration.
Third: The Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Public Health, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and other government agencies, each within its jurisdiction, take the necessary measures in this regard, to ensure compliance with health requirements, precautionary measures and established controls.
Fourth: These decisions shall come into force as of Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022, until further notice.
With this revision, it is no longer mandatory to wear masks outdoors except in certain cases, while more people are now allowed in social gatherings, weddings, at parks and beaches, as well as in local/international sporting events, conferences and exhibitions, etc.
HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani chaired the Cabinet's regular meeting held at its seat at the Amiri Diwan Wednesday.
Following the meeting, HE Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Mohamed bin Abdullah al-Sulaiti issued the following statement:
The Cabinet listened to an explanation given by HE the Minister of Public Health Dr Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari on the latest developments regarding the steps taken to limit the Covid-19 spread. After reviewing the report of the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management regarding the plan to gradually lift the restrictions, and due to the keenness on the health and safety of all members of society, it decided the following:
First:
1- The continuation of all employees in the government sector to carry out their work at their place of work and allowing all employees in the private sector to carry out their work at their place of work.
2- Continuing to allow meetings to be held for employees and workers in the government and private sectors who are present at their workplace in the presence of no more than 30 persons, who have completed the Covid-19 vaccine doses provided that the rest of the meetings will be held via videoconferencing.
3- Continuing to oblige all employees and workers in the public and private sectors to conduct a Covid-19 rapid test (rapid antigen) approved by the Ministry of Public Health, every week, for employees and workers who did not receive or complete the Covid-19 vaccine doses. Employees and workers who have completed the Covid-19 vaccine doses and those who have recovered from the disease are exempted from conducting this examination.
4- Obligating all citizens, residents and visitors to wear masks in all indoor places, and not obligating them to wear masks in outdoor places except in the following cases:
- Presence in public activities organised in the markets, exhibitions and during events.
- Presence on the premises of mosques, schools, universities and hospitals.
All workers in establishments, whose nature of work requires being in open spaces and communicating with customers, must wear masks during their work period.
5- Continuing to obligate all citizens, residents and visitors to activate the Ehteraz application on smartphones when leaving the house for any reason.
6- Continuing to open mosques to perform daily duties and Friday prayers, and allow children to enter, while adhering to the precautionary measures determined by the Ministry of Public Health and the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, and allowing the opening of toilets and ablution facilities in mosques determined by the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs.
7- Continuing to allow social gatherings in homes and majlises according to the following:
A- The presence of a maximum of 30 people who have completed the Covid-19 vaccine doses or a maximum of 5 people that did not complete or receive the Covid-19 vaccine in closed places in homes and majlises, with the exception of family members residing in the same house.
B- The presence of a maximum of 50 people who have completed the Covid-19 vaccine doses or a maximum of 5 people that did not complete or receive the Covid-19 vaccine in open spaces in homes and majlises, with the exception of family members residing in the same house.
8- Continuing to allow wedding parties to be held in wedding halls in hotels and independent wedding halls only, according to the following:
A- The presence of not more than 30% of the capacity of the closed wedding hall, with a maximum of 150 people and that the number of people who did not complete or receive the Covid-19 vaccine should not exceed 20 people within the mentioned percentage.
B- The presence of not more than 50% of the capacity of the open wedding hall, with a maximum of 300 people and that the number of people who did not complete or receive the Covid-19 vaccine should not exceed 50 people within the mentioned percentage.
9- Continuing to allow gatherings or sitting in public parks, beaches and the Corniche with a maximum of 30 people or family members residing in the same house, allowing to practise individual sports such as walking, running and cycling, allowing the opening of playgrounds and sports equipment in those places, allowing the opening of private beaches with a full capacity, and allowing the opening of toilets in the parks specified by the Ministry of Municipality.
10- Continuing to oblige all citizens, residents and visitors to a maximum of four people in the vehicle, including the driver of the vehicle, when leaving and moving for any reason, with the exception of family members residing in the same house.
11- Continuing to allow people to be transported by buses not to exceed 75% of the bus's capacity, while taking precautionary measures.
12- Continuing the operation of Metro and public transport services, not exceeding 75% of the capacity throughout the week, with the continued closure of places designated for smoking and not allowing food and drink in the mentioned means of transport.
13- Continuing to allow the opening of driving schools and the provision of their services, according to the following:
A- A full capacity if 75% or more of the total number of trainees have completed doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.
B- A capacity not exceeding 75% if the total percentage of trainees who have completed doses of the Covid-19 vaccine is less than 75%.
In all cases, all employees must have completed doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, with the obligation of all trainees who have not completed or did not receive doses of the vaccine to undergo a rapid antigen test certified by the Ministry of Public Health.
14- Continuing to allow the opening of theaters and cinemas and the provision of their services not exceeding 50% of the capacity, provided that among that 75 percent of customers have completed doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, allowing children to enter under the age of 12 and counting them within the percentage of 25 % allowed for those who did not complete or did not receive doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.
15- Educational centers and private training centers can continue to provide their services at a maximum 75% capacity and with full capacity if 75% of the trainees have completed doses of Covid-19 vaccine, with all the instructors working at these centers have completed the vaccine doses, while obligating trainees who did not receive or complete the doses of the Covid-19 vaccines to carry out a rapid antigen test accredited by the Ministry of Public Health.
16- Continuing to allow nurseries to open and provide their services at a maximum 75% capacity, provided that all workers have completed the Covid-19 vaccine doses.
17- Continuing to allow museums and public libraries to continue operating with a full capacity, allowing entry to everyone, whether those who have completed the Covid-19 vaccine doses or not, and allowing entry to children.
18- Continuing to allow centers for people with disabilities to provide their services with a maximum of five people per session, provided that all workers have completed the Covid-19 vaccine doses.
19- Continuing to allow professional sports training both indoors and outdoors, permitting preparatory training for local and international tournaments approved by the MoPH, and allow amateur training according to the following:
A- Allowing training of age groups (18 and under) with a maximum capacity of 40 persons outdoors and 30 persons indoors, provided that all have completed the doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, while obligating all trainees who did not complete or did not receive the vaccine doses to take a rapid antigen test approved by the Ministry of Public Health. Allowing the public to attend, and not exceeding 30% of the capacity indoors and 50% of the capacity outdoors.
B- Training children in private clubs with a maximum of 35 persons in open spaces who are vaccinated, and a maximum of 25 persons vaccinated people in closed spaces, with obligating the trainees who did not receive doses of the Covid-19 vaccine to take the Rapid Antigen test approved by the Ministry of Public Health, with no public attendance allowed.
20- Continuing to allow the hosting of local and international sporting events after obtaining the approval of the MoPH, with the presence of fans not surpassing the 75% capacity in outdoor venues, provided that they all completed the doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, and allowing the presence of a maximum 50% capacity of the fans in closed places, provided that they have completed the doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, and allow the establishment of local and special sports leagues and tournaments for age groups, and community sports tournaments and activities, after obtaining the approval of the Ministry of Public Health.
21- Continuing to allow the organisation of conferences, exhibitions, and events in accordance with the following:
A- A capacity not exceeding 75% in open spaces, provided that 90% of the participants who have completed the doses of the Covid-19 vaccine and with the obligation of those who did not complete or did not receive doses of the vaccine to take a rapid antigen test approved by the Ministry of Public Health or the PCR test.
B- A capacity not exceeding 50% in closed places, provided that among that percentage, 90% of the participants who have completed doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, with obligating those who did not complete or did not receive doses of the vaccine to take a rapid antigen test approved by the Ministry of Public Health or the PCR test.
In all cases, approval from the Ministry of Public Health is required before holding any conference, exhibition or event, and that all organisers and participants in such conferences, exhibitions and events have completed doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.
22- Continuing to allow the work of commercial complexes with a full capacity, and to allow the entry of everyone, whether those who have completed doses of the Covid-19 vaccine or not, and to allow the entry of children, and to allow the opening of common restaurant areas within the commercial complexes not exceeding 50% of the capacity, allowing the opening of mosques, changing rooms and toilets in those complexes, with all shops in those complexes adhering to the maximum number of customers allowed in them, which is determined by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
23- Continuing to allow restaurants and cafes to serve food and beverages according to the following:
A- In outdoor spaces, full capacity for restaurants and cafes that have the Qatar Clean certificate and a maximum capacity of 50% for restaurants and cafes that meet the conditions determined by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
B- In indoor places, a maximum capacity of 75% for restaurants and cafes that have the Qatar Clean certificate, and a maximum capacity of 40% for restaurants and cafes that meet the conditions determined by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, provided that all customers have completed the Covid-19 vaccine doses, and allow entry to children under 12 years of age accompanied by their families only.
In all cases, all workers in those facilities must have completed doses of the CovidD-19 vaccine.
24- Continuing to allow the opening of rental services of boats, tourist yachts and pleasure boats, provided that all workers have completed doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, and that the number of passengers on these boats and yachts does not exceed 50% of its capacity with a maximum of 40 people who have completed doses of the Covid-19 vaccine. Among them allowing the presence of 5 persons who have not completed or did not receive doses of the vaccine, including children. Owners of boats and personal yachts are obligated to comply with the aforementioned number, percentage and regulation.
25- Allowing popular markets to operate every day with a full capacity, allowing children to enter, with all stores in those markets adhering to the maximum number of customers allowed to be there, which is determined by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
26- Continuing the functioning of wholesale markets at a capacity not exceeding 75%, and allowing to everyone, whether those who have completed doses of the Covid-19 vaccine or not, allowing children to enter. All stores must adhere to the maximum number of customers allowed inside, which is determined by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and allowing auctions to be held in those markets.
27- Continuing to allow the opening of beauty and hairdressing salons with a capacity not exceeding 50%, provided that all workers in those facilities and clients have completed doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, and allowing the entry of children, taking into account that there are no more than two children under 12 years at the same time in those salons.
28- Continuing to allow the opening of amusement parks and all entertainment centers according to the following:
A- A capacity not exceeding 75% in open spaces.
B - A capacity not exceeding 50% in closed places, provided that 75% of the customers have completed doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, and allowing entry of children under 12 years, and counting them within the percentage of 25% allowed for those who did not complete or did not receive doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.
In all cases, all employees of these facilities must have completed doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.
29- Continuing to allow the opening of health clubs, physical training clubs, and massage services, not exceeding 75% of the capacity, and allowing the opening of changing rooms, showers, jacuzzi services, saunas, steam rooms, Moroccan and Turkish baths, provided that all employees of these facilities and customers have completed doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.
30- Continuing to allow the opening of swimming pools and water parks according to the following:
A- A capacity not exceeding 75% in open spaces.
B - A capacity not exceeding 50% in closed places, provided that 75% of the customers who have completed doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, and allowing entry to children under 12 years, and counting them within the percentage of 25% allowed for those who did not complete or did not receive doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.
In all cases, all employees of these facilities must have completed doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.
31- Continuing to allow medical services to be provided in private health care facilities with the full capacity of these facilities, provided that all workers have completed doses of the Covid-19 vaccine
32- Continuing to allow cleaning and hospitality companies to provide their services through their employees who have completed doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, whether in one or more homes, allowing the provision of cleaning and hospitality services to the facilities contracting with it during working hours with a full capacity, through its employees who have completed doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.
Second: Compliance with the health requirements, procedures, precautionary measures and controls determined by the Ministry of Public Health shall be taken into consideration.
Third: The Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Public Health, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and other government agencies, each within its jurisdiction, take the necessary measures in this regard, to ensure compliance with health requirements, precautionary measures and established controls.
Fourth: These decisions shall come into force as of Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022, until further notice.
