People will not be required to wear masks outdoors in most cases from next week as Qatar’s Cabinet on Wednesday gave its approval for the long-delayed fourth phase of lifting COVID-19 restrictions.
The rollback plan, announced in May this year, was set to take place in four phases — the first on May 28, the second on June 18 and the third on July 9. Although the fourth phase had been slated for July 30, it was postponed.
As per the latest Cabinet decision, the fourth phase will now be implemented on October 3, when masks will not be mandatory in open spaces, except for in crowded events like an exhibition or in places like a market.
However masks are still a must in enclosed public places and in the premises of mosques, schools, universities and hospitals, the Qatar News Agency said. All employees, whose nature of work requires them to be in open spaces and contact with customers, must wear masks during their work period, it added.
Offices
The fourth phase will see all government and private employees returning to their workplaces, bringing to an end mandatory remote work necessitated by social distancing policies implemented as part of measures to limit the spread of the pandemic.
The number of employees allowed to attend meetings held in offices has been increased to 30. Meetings with bigger groups will still have to be held online.
Unvaccinated employees in the public and private sectors should continue to conduct a rapid antigen test for the coronavirus approved by the Ministry of Public Health on a weekly basis. Vaccinated and recovered employees and those with a health status that doesn’t allow taking the anti-coronavirus vaccine are exempted from this.
Gatherings
The number of people allowed to gather at homes and majilis has been increased. Now, up to 30 fully-vaccinated people or five unvaccinated/mixed groups can gather indoors at homes and majilis.
Outdoor gathering is permitted for up to 50 vaccinated people or 10 unvaccinated/mixed groups. The number was previously 35.
Up to 30 people or family members residing in the same house can now gather at parks, beaches, and the Corniche. The figure was previously 20. Bathrooms can open at full capacity but toilets, unless specified by the Ministry of Municipality and Environment, will stay shut.
Travel
No more than four people — including the driver — can travel together in a vehicle unless the occupants are of the same family. Buses and vans can carry up passengers up to 75 percent of their seating capacities.
Transport
Metro and public transport services will continue to operate at 75 percent capacity throughout the week. However, passengers are not allowed to eat or drink on the train or bus. Smoking areas in stations will continue to remain closed.
Mosques
Mosques will continue to remain open for daily prayers, including for Juma on Fridays. Children are allowed to enter and toilets and ablution facilities will remain open.
Theatres
Theatres can cinemas can now operate at 50 percent capacity but the management should ensure that at least 75 percent of the customers are vaccinated. Children, including those under 12 years of age, are allowed in and must be counted among the unvaccinated, whose number shouldn’t be above 25 percent of the capacity.
Driving schools
Driving schools can operate at full capacity if at least 75 percent of the trainees are fully vaccinated. If that is not the case, driving schools shouldn’t run beyond 75 percent capacity, and trainees who aren’t fully vaccinated must undergo a Rapid Antigen test.
Sports
Professional sports training, whether in closed or open spaces, preparatory training for local and international tournaments approved by the Ministry of Public Health, can continue.
Training of amateurs aged 18 and below shouldn’t involve more than 40 vaccinated people in open space and 30 vaccinated people in enclosed space. Training of children in private clubs should not involve more than 35 vaccinated people in open spaces and 25 vaccinated people in closed spaces. Unvaccinated trainees in both these cases must take Rapid Antigen tests, and no spectators are allowed.
Local and international sporting events can be held after obtaining the approval of the Ministry of Public Health, with spectators allowed in up to 75 percent of capacity in open-air venues and 30 percent behind closed doors.
Up to 90 percent of the spectators must be vaccinated. Unvaccinated people wishing to watch the matches should obtain a negative rapid antigen test result, from a facility approved by the Ministry of Public Health.
Educational institutions, museums
Private educational institutions, training centres and nurseries can continue in-person classes at 75 percent capacity, provided that all the workers are fully vaccinated.
Educational sessions in centres designated for people with special needs will continue, provided that each session has no more than five individuals; trainers must be fully vaccinated.
Public museums and libraries can continue to operate at full capacity.
Conferences
Conferences, exhibitions and similar events can draw in crowd up to 75 percent of the venue capacity in open spaces and 50 percent in enclosed areas, provided that 90 percent of the participants are fully vaccinated and the unvaccinated undergone antigen or PCR test.
In all cases, the approval of the Ministry of Public Health is required if the conference or the exhibition has more than 1,000 people in open spaces, and 500 people in closed places.
Malls
Commercial complexes like malls are not allowed to operate at full capacity. Children are allowed to enter. Common restaurant yards within the complexes are now allowed to operate at a maximum capacity of 50%. Prayer and changing rooms in those complexes are now allowed to open, with their capacities to be determined by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Souks and wholesale markets can continue working throughout the week at full capacity. Children are allowed in. Wholesale markets can continue working throughout the week with a maximum capacity of 75 percent. All stores are required to allow the number of customers determined by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Auctions are allowed to be held in those markets.
Restaurants
Restaurants and cafes with a “Clean Qatar” certificate can provide dine-in services at 75 percent capacity indoors and at full capacity outdoors.
Restaurants and cafes that meet the conditions determined by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry can now provide dine-in services at 40 percent capacity indoors and 50 percent outdoors. Children under 12 years of age, but accompanied by their families, are allowed in closed spaces.
Boats
Private boats, boat rentals, and tourist boats can have riders up to 50 percent of their capacities or up to 40 vaccinated people. Unvaccinated people among the boat riders shouldn’t be more than five. Employees must be vaccinated.
Salons and gyms
Beauty salons and barbershops can operate at a maximum capacity of 75 percent, provided that all workers and clients are fully vaccinated. No more than two children at a time are allowed to be present inside these establishments.
Health clubs, gyms, massage services, saunas, steam and jacuzzi services, and Moroccan and Turkish baths can continue operations to 75 percent capacity, provided that all workers in these facilities and customers have completed both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Amusement parks and pools
Amusement parks and all entertainment centres can continue operations at 75 percent capacity for open air features and at 50 percent capacity for indoor facilities. At least 75 percent of the customers need to be fully vaccinated. Children, including those under 12, are allowed in and must be counted among the unvaccinated, whose number shouldn’t be above 25 percent of the centre’s capacity.
Swimming pools and water parks can continue operations at 75 percent capacity outdoors and at 50 percent capacity indoors. Up to 75 percent of indoor pool users should be fully-vaccinated people. Children, including those under 12, are allowed in but should be counted among the unvaccinated, whose number shouldn’t be more than 25 percent of the pool capacity.
Healthcare
Private healthcare services can continue services at 100 percent capacity, provided that all workers are fully vaccinated.
Cleaning and hospitality companies can provide services if their staff are fully vaccinated.
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