Representational image of a mall.
Doha: The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has urged the public to limit the time spent at shopping malls, as a precaution against COVID-19 pandemic.
In a new social media campaign, the MoPH has reminded the public of precautionary measures to be followed at shopping malls.
At present, shopping malls are supposed to limit their capacity to 50 percent, with food courts allowed to occupy only 30 percent of the capacity while allowing a maximum of five persons at a table. Leisure centres and children play areas remain closed.
“Maintain minimum safe distance of 1.5 meters from others all the time. Limit the time you spend in the malls,” the Ministry said in one of its social media posts. People have also been urged to follow hand hygiene and wear masks during their entire visit to malls. Wearing a mask, having green Ehteraz status and body temperature below 38 Celsius are mandatory to enter a mall. The MoPH has also reminded the public of the precautionary measures to be followed to limit the risk of COVID-19 transmission during social gatherings.
At present, social gatherings are limited to a maximum of 15 people indoors and 30 people outdoors. Physical contact between individuals is not allowed including handshakes, hugging or kissing.
Health authorities have been continuously warning the public to follow all precautionary measures like wearing a face mask, maintaining social distancing and restricting the number of people in vehicles to fight the COVID-19 pandemic from spreading.
The Ministry in its daily COVID-19 update said: “Measures to tackle COVID-19 in Qatar have succeeded in flattening the curve and limiting the spread of the virus and the number of new daily cases and hospital admissions is continuing to decline each week.”
