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Tribune News Network
Doha
Qatar will begin in roll back most of the restrictions it has imposed to contain the spread of COVID-19 gradually and in four stages, starting with the opening of some mosques on June 15, Supreme Committee for Crisis Management Spokesperson HE Lolwah bint Rashid Al Khater said on Monday.
“Day to day activities cannot be stopped indefinitely, and the time has come to start gradually lifting the restrictions,” Khater said.
The second stage will start on July 1, the third on August 1 and the fourth on September 1, according to the spokesperson.
Besides the mosques, the first stage will also see workforce returning to place of work. While 50 percent will come back in the first phase, 80 percent will return in the second and full strength in the fourth. All employees must maintain strict health and safety measures
As regards transportation, personal boats trips and foreign travels will be allowed if they are absolutely necessary. Those who return to Doha will be subject to hotel quarantine on his or her expense for a period of two weeks. People who return to Doha will not have the option of a home quarantine.
As for entertainment, some establishments not exceeding 300 square metres in area will open at 30 percent capacity.
Private health clinics will open at 40 percent capacity in the first stage, 60 percent in the second, 80 percent in the third and 100 percent in the fourth. All parks and beaches will open in the first stage, during when professionals can begin to train in open spaces and large halls.
Shopping malls and restaurants
Shopping malls and wholesale markets will open at limited capacity for specific hours in the second stage on July 15. While malls will open fully in the third stage on August 1, wholesale markets will run at full capacity in the fourth stage on September 1.
The second stage will also see dining in at restaurants and opening of museums and libraries at limited capacities. Restaurants will be allowed to gradually increase their staff strength.
Health clubs, gymnasiums, swimming pools, beauty salons and barber shops will open in the third stage but at 50 percent capacity. They can increase their capacities to 100 percent in the fourth stage starting on September 1.
Residents can return in August
In the third stage, flights from low-risk countries will be allowed for priority travellers such as residency-card holders, in addition to reopening of driving schools.
In the fourth stage, excursion boat trips will be allowed, in addition to expanding the scope of flights according to the instructions of the Ministry of Public Health and opening limited services for public transport such as metro and buses.
In the fourth stage, gatherings such as weddings will be allowed, in addition to opening of mosques at full capacity and resumption of Friday prayers. Business gatherings such as exhibitions, conferences, recreational gatherings, theaters and cinemas will also open in this stage.
In the press conference, Khater said, “We do not advise the elderly, the chronically ill and the children to go out during the first and second stages of lifting the restrictions. In the event of non-compliance, or if one of the indicators is negatively affected, it is possible to re-impose restrictions or delay the start of the stages. Lifting restrictions may mean an increase in the number of cases, so each person must be self-monitored,”
Co-Chair of the National Pandemic Preparedness Committee Dr Abdullatif Al Khal said the prevalence of coronavirus in Qatar has decreased a lot and started to recede. “But the gradual lifting of restrictions does not mean precautionary measures can be taken lightly.”
Doha
Qatar will begin in roll back most of the restrictions it has imposed to contain the spread of COVID-19 gradually and in four stages, starting with the opening of some mosques on June 15, Supreme Committee for Crisis Management Spokesperson HE Lolwah bint Rashid Al Khater said on Monday.
“Day to day activities cannot be stopped indefinitely, and the time has come to start gradually lifting the restrictions,” Khater said.
The second stage will start on July 1, the third on August 1 and the fourth on September 1, according to the spokesperson.
Besides the mosques, the first stage will also see workforce returning to place of work. While 50 percent will come back in the first phase, 80 percent will return in the second and full strength in the fourth. All employees must maintain strict health and safety measures
As regards transportation, personal boats trips and foreign travels will be allowed if they are absolutely necessary. Those who return to Doha will be subject to hotel quarantine on his or her expense for a period of two weeks. People who return to Doha will not have the option of a home quarantine.
As for entertainment, some establishments not exceeding 300 square metres in area will open at 30 percent capacity.
Private health clinics will open at 40 percent capacity in the first stage, 60 percent in the second, 80 percent in the third and 100 percent in the fourth. All parks and beaches will open in the first stage, during when professionals can begin to train in open spaces and large halls.
Shopping malls and restaurants
Shopping malls and wholesale markets will open at limited capacity for specific hours in the second stage on July 15. While malls will open fully in the third stage on August 1, wholesale markets will run at full capacity in the fourth stage on September 1.
The second stage will also see dining in at restaurants and opening of museums and libraries at limited capacities. Restaurants will be allowed to gradually increase their staff strength.
Health clubs, gymnasiums, swimming pools, beauty salons and barber shops will open in the third stage but at 50 percent capacity. They can increase their capacities to 100 percent in the fourth stage starting on September 1.
Residents can return in August
In the third stage, flights from low-risk countries will be allowed for priority travellers such as residency-card holders, in addition to reopening of driving schools.
In the fourth stage, excursion boat trips will be allowed, in addition to expanding the scope of flights according to the instructions of the Ministry of Public Health and opening limited services for public transport such as metro and buses.
In the fourth stage, gatherings such as weddings will be allowed, in addition to opening of mosques at full capacity and resumption of Friday prayers. Business gatherings such as exhibitions, conferences, recreational gatherings, theaters and cinemas will also open in this stage.
In the press conference, Khater said, “We do not advise the elderly, the chronically ill and the children to go out during the first and second stages of lifting the restrictions. In the event of non-compliance, or if one of the indicators is negatively affected, it is possible to re-impose restrictions or delay the start of the stages. Lifting restrictions may mean an increase in the number of cases, so each person must be self-monitored,”
Co-Chair of the National Pandemic Preparedness Committee Dr Abdullatif Al Khal said the prevalence of coronavirus in Qatar has decreased a lot and started to recede. “But the gradual lifting of restrictions does not mean precautionary measures can be taken lightly.”
