Doha: As new coronavirus cases are declining in the country, Qatar has announced phased easing of COVID-19 restrictions from May 28.
The gradual lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, over four phases, will take place with a planned gap of three weeks. Phase one will begin on May 28, 2021. The second, third and fourth phases will start from June 18, July 9 and July 30 respectively.
However, the dates can be changed as per the changes in indicators of the pandemic and compliance of people with preventive measures.
All main indicators of the COVID-19 pandemic currently indicate that the COVID-19 infections are decreasing in the country. This came in a press conference jointly organised by the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) yesterday.
Among the main reopening steps include blended learning in schools with 30 percent capacity from May 28. Nurseries and childcare centres will reopen at a maximum capacity of 30 percent in phase 1 while in phase 3, children will be allowed in shopping malls.
Beaches will be opened with the capacity of 30 percent in phase 1. In phase 2 the capacity of employees at workplaces will be increased to 80 percent. In phase 3, play areas and exercise equipment will be opened for public. In phase 1, barbershops and hair dressers will be allowed to re-open at a maximum capacity of 30 percent for vaccinated clients.
“Regarding the gradual lifting of COVID-19 restrictions on education sector during phase 1, which will begin on May 28, blended learning in schools with 30 percent capacity will be allowed,” Dr Abdullatif Al Khal, Chair of the National Health Strategic Group on COVID-19 and Head of Infectious Diseases at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC).
In the second phase, from June 18, the blended learning will continue with same capacity. In the third phase, from July 9, the blended learning will continue; the capacity will be increased to 50 percent, however.
Nurseries and childcare centres will reopen at a maximum capacity of 30 percent in phase 1. The capacity will be increased to 50 percent in phase 3. All staff must be vaccinated.
Dr. Al Khal also urged people to take the vaccine, as it is effective and safe. “It is very encouraging that we are seeing clear evidence that the vaccines are protecting people from developing symptoms of COVID-19 and becoming ill. The next phases of the plan to lift restrictions will include privileges for those who have been vaccinated. They can dine out and will be given priority at sports centres, among others. Unlike last year, we will be able to make more freedoms available to those who are vaccinated; they will enjoy certain privileges before others.”
He said education centres for people with disabilities will be allowed to hold 1:5 education sessions and the instructors should be vaccinated in all three phases.
“The education and training centres will be allowed to operate at 30 percent capacity and all trainers must be vaccinated during phase 1 and 2. However in phase 3, the capacity of education and training centres will be increased to 50 percent.”
He said social gatherings for up to 10 vaccinated people outdoors (or 5 people if it includes unvaccinated people) and 5 vaccinated people indoors will be allowed in phase 1.
In phase 2, social gatherings for up to 20 vaccinated people outdoors (or 10 people if they include unvaccinated people) and 10 vaccinated people indoors will be allowed. Also in phase 2, up to 5 unvaccinated people can gather indoors.
Social gatherings for vaccinated people with up to 30 people outdoors (or 15 people if it includes unvaccinated people) and 15 vaccinated people and 5 non vaccinated people in indoors will be allowed in phase 3.
In phase 1, mosques will be allowed to continue daily and Friday prayers with no children under 12 years old allowed. Toilets and ablution areas at mosques will remain closed, he said, adding that in phase 2 children under 10 years old and in phase 3 children under 7 years old will be not allowed in the mosques. The remaining restrictions of phase 1 will be same in last two phases.
Acting Undersecretary for Trade Affairs at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Saleh bin Majid Al Khulaifi, said that wedding parties will not be allowed in phase 1. “In phase 2, wedding parties will be allowed in separate hotels and wedding halls with 40 people and 75 percent of them should be vaccinated. In phase 3, the capacity of people will be increased to 80 and 75 percent of them should be vaccinated.”
Regarding public parks, Al Khulaifi said that a group of 5 people or members of same family will be allowed on Corniche and beaches, and beaches will be opened with the capacity of 30 percent in phase
In phase 2, the capacity of beaches will not be more than 40 percent and a group of 10 people will be allowed.
In phase 3, a group of 15 people will be allowed and play areas and exercise equipment will be opened, however, the capacity of beaches should not be more than 50 percent, he added.
Regarding work places, in phase 1, the 50 percent capacity of employees at workplace will continue and meeting for basic activities for 15 vaccinated people will be allowed. In phase 2, the capacity of employees will be increased to 80 percent and 15 people including 5 non vaccinated will be allowed to hold meetings.
He said that events, exhibitions and conferences will remain postponed in phase 1. In phase 2 and 3, selected exhibitions, conferences and commercial exhibitions will be allowed with 30 percent capacity after risk evaluation and approval from the Ministry of Public Health.
Museums and libraries will be allowed to operate with 30 percent capacity in phase 1 while in the second and third phases, the capacity will be increased to 50 percent.
The official said that shopping malls will continue operating with 30 percent capacity with closure of food courts (expect for pick-up and delivery), while children under 12 will not be allowed in phase 1.
In phase 2, the capacity of shopping malls will be increased to 50 percent and food courts will be opened with 30 percent capacity. Toilets and prayer places will be also opened. However, children under 12 year will not be allowed while in phase 3, children will be allowed in shopping malls, he added.
Souqs (traditional markets) will be allowed to operate at 30 percent capacity including Fridays and Saturdays with no children under 12 year in phase 1 while in second phase, the capacity will be increased to 50 percent and in phase 3 children will be allowed in souqs.
In phase 1, wholesale markets will operate at 30 percent capacity with no children under 12 allowed. In phase 2, the capacity will be increases to 50 percent and in phase 3 children will be allowed in the markets, he added.
Regarding hotels and restaurants, dinning will be allowed in open places with 30 percent capacity in open places in phase 1. However, in indoor only dinning will be allowed with 30 percent capacity in those hotel and restaurants which follow Qatar Clean programme for vaccinated customers only in phase 1.
The official said that in phase 2, the capacity of dinning will be increased to 50 percent in open area. In phase 3, the capacity of dinning at the hotels following Qatar Clean programme will be increased to 50 percent while 75 % customers should be vaccinated.
In phase 1, barbershops and hair dressers will be allowed to re-open at a maximum capacity of 30 percent for vaccinated clients.
All staff must be vaccinated. In phase 1, cinemas and theaters will reopen at a maximum capacity of 30 percent for only vaccinated people over 16 years age. In phase 1, driving schools will reopen at 30 percent capacity and vaccinated staff will be allowed to run lessons.
The capacity of public transport like metro and buses will be increased to 30 percent in phase 1 and the services will resume on Fridays and Saturdays.
The capacity will remain same in phase 2, however in phase 3, the capacity of all means of public transport will be increased to 50 percent expect buses which will remain 30 percent.
