Doha: In a press conference held by senior Ministry of Public Health and Ministry of Commerce and Industry officials telecast on Qatar television they announced partial lifting of some Covid-19 restrictions in place to prevent the spread of the pandemic.
The lifting of restriction will be in four phases with the first one staring from May 28, 2021.
The plan to gradually lift restrictions will be delivered over 4 phases with each phase lasting 3 weeks.
The second phase will start on June 18, the third phase on July 9 and the fourth phase July 30, 2021
“Unlike last year, we will be able to make more freedoms available to those people who are vaccinated where they will enjoy certain privileges before others,” Chair of the National Health Strategic Group on COVID-19 and Head of Infectious Diseases at Hamad Medical Corporation Dr Abdullatif Al Khal said at the press conference.
The decisions are as follows:
Restaurants: To allow sitting outdoor and dining in restaurants with a capacity of 30 %. Sitting indoor and dining with a capacity of 30% permitted for "Clean Qatar" restaurants, only for vaccinated customers.
Cinemas: Opening theaters and cinemas with a capacity of 30% for above 16-year-olds, who received two doses of vaccines.
Vaccinated employees from cleaning companies can work in more than one home, and services can be provided at home by more than one vaccinated employee in the workplace - allow vaccinated employees to provide services upto 30% during working hours.
Health and Fitness Clubs and Spa: 30% capacity is allowed for vaccinated customers only - all employees must be vaccinated.
Barbershops and beauty salons: 30% capacity allowed for vaccinated customers only - all employees should be vaccinated.
Outdoor swimming pools - 30% of the capacity, indoor swimming pools - 20% for vaccinated.
Theme Parks and leisure centres: Open spaces with 30% of the capacity, 20% for indoor spaces for vaccinated.
Parks, Corniche and Beaches: Allowing small groups of up to 5 people or members of the same family to open beaches with a capacity of up to 30%.
Team Sports Training: Allowing preparatory training for local and international tournaments approved by the Ministry of Public Health.
Allow outdoor and indoor professional training for amateur training. 10 vaccinated people for open area and closed area only five people allowed.
Local and international sporting events. Holding certain sporting events and allowing 30% of the spectators, who are vaccinated, and not to allow fans in closed spaces.
Workplaces: 50% of the capacity and allow basic business meetings with a maximum of 15 vaccinated people.
Postponement of events, conferences and exhibitions
30% allowance for libraries and museums
Shopping centers: Continuation of work at capacity 30%. Close all food court, with the exception of pick-up and delivery services. Children under 12 years old are not allowed.
Traditional markets (souqs): Allow 30% capacity, resume work on Friday and Saturday and children under 12 years old are not allowed.
Wholesale markets: 30% of the capacity, children under 12 years old are not allowed.
Schools: Blended Learning with a capacity of 30%
Educational centers for special needs: Only 5:1 educational sessions allowed (the trainers need to be vaccinated)
Training and education centers: Capacity of 30% allowed (trainers need to be vaccinated)
Nursery and childcare: 30% of capacity (vaccinated employees)
Public transport: 30% of the capacity in all public transport, work resume on Friday and Saturday. Close smoking areas.
Driving schools: Open with capacity of 30%, staff must be vaccinated and only allow vaccinated employees to give lessons.
Social gatherings: Indoor - 5 vaccinated people maximum, Outdoor - 10 vaccinated people or maximum of 5 mixed people
Mosques: Children under 12 not allowed. Toilets still closed.
No permission yet to hold weddings.
Suspension of rental services for boats, tourist yachts and pleasure boats, with the exception of rental services for family members residing in the same house.
A maximum of 10 people are allowed to use personal boats only (4 unvaccinated among them are allowed). All boat workers must be vaccinated