Doha: The Prime Minister and Minister of Interior H E Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani chaired the regular meeting held by the Cabinet this afternoon at its headquarters at Amiri Diwan.
After listening to the explanation provided by the Minister of Public Health on the latest developments to limit the spread COVID-19 and after reviewing the report of the Crisis Management Committee regarding the plan to re-impose restrictions due to the pandemic and in the interest of health and the safety of all members of society, the State Cabinet announced plan, which will come into effect from tomorrow, February 4, 2021. Restriction on weddings will come into force from Sunday February 7, 2021.
With the aim of curbing the spread of the coronavirus in Qatar, the State Cabinet had announced that a 32-point plan will be imposed starting February 4, 2021.
*20% of employees in the public and private sectors to work from home
*Attendance at meetings and gatherings shall not exceed 15 persons
*Mosques will continue to remain open for daily and Friday prayers
*Visitors at commercial complexes limited to 50% of capacity
* All food courts to stay closed but takeaways allowed
*Restaurants can serve food indoors at a maximum 30% of their capacity
*Capacity of barbershops and beauty salons limited to 30%
*Private healthcare facilities will continue to provide all services
*Only home or majlis wedding parties will be allowed (from Feb.7)
*Number of passengers in buses reduced to half of the vehicle’s capacity
*Metro and transport services will operate at maximum 30% of capacity
*Capacity of nurseries and childcare facilities reduced to 30%
*Approval of the MoPH necessary to hold exhibitions, conferences, events
1- Continuing with the Cabinet decision, which requires that, depending on the need for work, no more than 80 percent of the total number of employees in the government sector working at their workplace, while the remaining number of employees work remotely from their homes or upon request, depending on the circumstances.
2- Continuing the Cabinet decision, which requires that, depending on the need for work, no more than 80 percent of the total number of employees in the private sector working at their workplace, while the remaining number of them work remotely from their homes.
3- Continuing the Cabinet decree, as for employees and workers in the government and private sectors to allow meetings to be held with the attendance of no more than 15 persons, and to adhere to procedures and precautionary measures.
4- All citizens and residents to continue wearing masks when leaving the house for any reason , unless the person is alone while driving the vehicle.
5- All citizens and residents continue to activate EHTERAZ application on smartphones when leaving the house for any reason.
6- Continuing the opening of Mosques for daily prayers and Friday prayers, while toilets and ablution facilities remain closed.
7 – No more than 5 people in closed places and no more than 15 people in open places, during visits, in condolences and in gatherings.
8- No more than 15 people in winter camps.
9- Not to hold wedding parties in closed and open spaces until further notice, this excludes home or majlis weddings, in the presence of no more than 10 people in closed places and 20 people in open spaces who are relatives of the spouses, notifying the Ministry of Interior of the date and place of the wedding ceremony and pledging to abide by the procedures and precautionary measures according to the mechanism determined by the ministry.
10- Closure of playgrounds and sports equipment in public parks, beaches and the corniche, with gatherings being limited to 15 people.
11- Continue with the decision of no more than four people allowed in a vehicle, including the driver of the vehicle, with the exception of families when leaving and moving in vehicles.
12- Continuation of what was decided to reduce the number of people who are transported by buses to half the bus capacity, while taking precautions and precautionary measures.
13- Continuing to operate metro services and public transport with a capacity not exceeding 30%.
14- Reducing the capacity of driving schools to not exceeding 25% .
15- Continuing the work of cinemas and theaters with a capacity not exceeding 30% and not allowing entry to persons under 18 years old.
16- Reducing the capacity of educational centers and private training centers to 30%.
17- Reducing the capacity of nurseries and childcare to 30%.
18- Reducing the capacity of public museums and libraries to 50%.
19- Only allow individual educational sessions to be held in centers designated for people with special needs.
20- Training for professional sports teams is limited to no more than 40 people in open spaces and 20 people in closed places, with the presence of the audience prohibited.
21- Obtaining prior approval from the Ministry of Public Health to organize local and international sporting events, while prohibiting public attendance in closed spaces and allowing their presence in open spaces with a capacity not exceeding 20%.
22- Obtaining prior approval from the Ministry of Public Health to hold exhibitions, conferences and various events.
23- Continuing the work of commercial complexes with a capacity that does not exceed 50%, with the closure of all common restaurant yards inside the commercial complexes, and allowing these restaurants to make external orders or deliver them inside the restaurant only.
24- Allowing restaurants and cafes to provide food and beverages indoors with a capacity that does not exceed 15%, and restaurants with a “Clean Qatar” programme with a capacity not exceeding 30%, and allowing all restaurants and cafes to provide food and drinks in their open spaces with capacity not exceeding 50%.
25- Stopping the services of renting boats, tourist yachts and pleasure boats. Owners of boats and personal yachts are obligated, if they are used, that no more than 15 people are on board.
26- Reducing the capacity of popular markets to 50%.
27- Reducing the capacity of wholesale markets to 30%.
28- Reducing the capacity of hairdressing and beauty salons to 30%.
29- Closing down amusement parks and all entertainment centers in commercial complexes inside closed places, and allowing them to work in open spaces only, with a capacity not exceeding 30%.
30- Continuing the work of health clubs and physical training clubs with a capacity not exceeding 30%, and the continued provision of massage services in five-star hotels only with a capacity not exceeding 30%, and the closure of saunas and steam rooms, Jacuzzi services and Moroccan and Turkish baths.
31- Closing all indoor swimming pools and indoor water parks, and continuing to operate outdoor swimming pools and outdoor water parks with a capacity not exceeding 30%.
32- The work of private health care facilities continues to provide all their services.
The Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Public Health, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and other governmental bodies are in charge of taking the necessary measures to ensure adherence to the precautionary measures, all within their powers and jurisdiction.
The decisions will go into effect starting Thursday, February 4, 2021. The only exception is made to the decision on banning indoor and outdoor weddings, which goes into effect starting Sunday February 7 until further notice.
The cabinet noted the continuation of the current education plan in all public and private schools and kindergartens at the current levels with the implementation of the weekly rotating attendance schedules. The cabinet also said that the current travel, return, and quarantine policies will continue as is, with the Ministry of Public Health updating of the COVID-19 green list countries.
The cabinet called on citizens and residents to adhere to the precautionary measures to contain the virus and avoid the penalties stipulated in decree law no. 17 of 1990 on communicable diseases, amended in law no. 9 of 2020. The cabinet also called on citizens and residents to complete their transactions with governmental and private entities using electronic systems and applications, and avoid visiting them unless it was absolutely necessary.
