The highlights of this phase, as announced by the Cabinet recently, include relaxing masks rules and allowing people to not wear masks in open public areas with some exceptions, allowing 100% attendance in workplaces, permitting children in mosques, and several others.
On its part, the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has urged people to avoid large gatherings and crowded places, and stressed that "as Qatar moves to Phase 4 of the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions, it’s important to continue to protect yourself, your loved ones and the community against possible risk of infection".
The ministry has given the following tips to ensure protection:
* Avoid large gatherings and crowded places.
* Meet with people virtually when possible, using digital communication tools and platforms.
* Stay home and call 16000 if you feel unwell or have Covid-19 like symptoms.
* Get vaccinated and continue observing precautionary measures.
* Hold gatherings and events outdoors rather than indoors when possible; if indoors, ensure adequate ventilation and shorten the duration and size of the event.
* Use culturally and religiously appropriate greetings that avoid physical contact, such as waving, nodding, or placing the hand over the heart.
* Get vaccinated and continue observing precautionary measures.
* Practise physical distancing - always maintain a 1m distance from others.
* Follow the advice on the appropriate use of masks issued by the Ministry of Public Health.
* Cover the mouth and nose with the bent elbow or a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
* Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
* Regularly and thoroughly wash the hands with soap and water, or clean them with an alcohol-based hand rub.
The Ministry of Education and Higher Education recently announced the easing of some precautionary measures and restrictions in line with the plan to gradually lift restrictions imposed as a result of combating the spread of Covid-19. These measures include attendance regulations in governmental and private kindergartens, schools and higher education institutions.
From Sunday, kindergartens, schools and higher education institutions will return to study with full attendance of students at 100% of the approved capacity of the school building and the university building, with the need to adhere to social distancing between the students, which is a minimum of 1m at all times, observing physical distancing in employee rooms and offices, and ensuring a safe distance between the employees and colleagues, and requiring all students and administrative and teaching bodies to wear a mask while in schools and higher education institutions.
The ministry also affirmed the need to continue applying the bubble system in study and transportation and allowing the use of buses to transport students with a capacity of 75%, while continuing to apply the attendance and absence policy, adhering to precautionary measures to prevent disease, such as washing hands and sterilising them with disinfectants continuously and disinfecting surfaces with sterilisers.
Earlier, the Cabinet had decided that all employees in both the government and private sectors will return to their workplace starting Sunday. It also said all citizens and residents must continue to wear masks in closed public places but are not obligated to wear masks in open public places except in the following cases: in organised public activities at markets, exhibitions and during events; and on the premises of mosques, schools, universities and hospitals. Also, all workers in establishments whose nature of work requires being in open spaces and communicating with customers must wear masks during the work period.
Mosques shall continue opening for daily and Friday prayers, and children are allowed to enter while adhering to the precautionary measures determined by the MoPH and Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs (Awqaf). The ministry later said in a notice that social distancing will not be in place during the five daily prayers as well as Friday prayers. However, worshippers have to maintain a distance of 1m during the Friday sermon, while toilets and ablution areas can be opened in non-crowded areas.
Based on the Cabinet decision, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry later said shisha services can be offered in the “open spaces of tourist areas” from Sunday. It also announced relaxations for restaurants and cafes.
Doha Metro and public transport services will operate at 75% of their capacity from Sunday, it was announced by the Cabinet.
Besides the above, Phase 4 will see a number relaxations and enhanced capacity across various sectors.
Covid tests for unvaccinated students, staff this week
With schools set to have 100% attendance from Sunday, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE) has said students aged 12 and above, as well as the educational and administrative staff in schools and kindergartens, who have not received any or both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine will undergo a rapid antigen or PCR test approved by the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) on the school premises this week.
This will be done in co-ordination with the MoPH, the MoEHE said in a notice on social media Saturday.
Those who have recovered from the virus are excluded from the examination procedure.
