The new precautionary measures to combat third wave of COVID-19 fuelled by Omicron variant are set to come into effect today and different ministries have urged people to follow them.
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Ministry of Transport and other government entities have shared details of new precautionary measures on their social media accounts as decided by the Cabinet.
The State Cabinet in its meeting held on January 5 had taken decisions to reimpose some restrictions on commercial markets such as malls, popular souqs, restaurants etc to curb the spread of viral infection. These restrictions generally address the precaution of maintaining social distancing at different public places and public transit system.
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI), on its official Twitter account, shared information on ‘reimposing certain restrictions on commercial activities.’ According to MoCI, shopping malls will operate at a capacity of no more than 75% of total capacity.
The restaurant halls in malls will operate at capacity of 30% while prayer rooms, fitting rooms and toilets will remain open. Only vaccinated people can enter malls.
The souqs will also operate will 75% of total capacity where only vaccinated people and their children under 12 years can enter.
In restaurants and cafes, only vaccinated customers and their children under 12 years are allowed to dine in indoor spaces with 50% capacity for restaurants with ‘Qatar Clean’ certificate and 30% capacity for pre-qualified restaurants.
Only vaccinated customers and their children under 12 years are allowed to dine in outdoor spaces with 75% capacity for restaurants with ‘Qatar Clean’ certificate and 40% capacity for pre-qualified restaurants.
According to the Ministry’s post, buffet services are allowed while shisha services are suspended. The restaurants will also redistribute tables to ensure social distancing.
The health clubs, gyms and massage centres will operate with 50% of total capacity and only vaccinated clients and employees are allowed while showers, dressing rooms, steam rooms, Moroccan baths and saunas will be closed.
As far as swimming pools, water parks, amusement parks and entertainment centres are concerned; they will operate with 50% capacity for indoor spaces and 75% capacity for outdoor spaces. They will allow only those clients who have received necessary doses of COVID-19 vaccine.
Beauty salons and barbershops will operate with 50% capacity and they will allow entry to only vaccinated clients and employees.
The Ministry of Transport (MoT) said in a tweet that Metro services and public transport services will continue operating throughout the week with capacity not exceeding 60%. Wearing face masks and having green status on Ehteraz will be mandatory for commuters. The smoking areas will be closed and eating, drinking will also not be allowed at stations and public transit system.
The MoT further said that services of tourist boats, yachts and pleasure boats will continue, provided that all workers in those boats and yachts have completed doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, and that the number of passengers on boats and yachts does not exceed 30% of capacity and a maximum of 15 individuals who are vaccinated.
“The owners of personal boats and yachts, if using, are obligated not to have more than 12 people on board, with the exception of family members residing in the same house,” the Ministry said.
