In line with the precautionary measures taken by Qatar to limit the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19), the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) announced the gradual lifting of restrictions in restaurants.
Restaurants can resume their operations (receiving clients) after obtaining pre-approval of the Ministry. The conditions to obtain the pre-approval include the following:
1. Register for “Qatar Clean" programme on the following website: www.qatarclean.com
2. Download the restaurants' requirements form, fill out the required information and submit it by email to: [email protected]
Once submitted, the application will be reviewed and approval will be granted when restaurants have met the required conditions.
According to the Ministry, restaurants that fail to meet the required conditions will only be authorised to deliver orders or process takeaways for customers outside the restaurant, in accordance with previous decisions that have been issued in this regard.
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Ministry of Public Health will carry out inspection campaigns on restaurants that fill out the requirements form.
All restaurants shall adhere to the precautionary and preventive measures outlined by the Ministry of Public Health and the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs, and shall apply the following guidelines:
- Requiring clients to pre-book before coming to the restaurant.
- Allowing diners into the restaurant only after checking the health colour code on the Ehteraz app. Only green code holders are allowed in.
- Open buffet service is prohibited. Only pre-defined menus are to be served.
- Serving shisha is prohibited.
- Barring people who are not wearing a medical mask.
- Checking the body temperature of diners at the entrance and barring any customer whose temperature is above 38 degrees Celsius.
- Providing hand sanitisers across restaurant facilities
- Placing safe distance stickers on restaurant floors
- Distributing the furniture to ensure a space of no less than two metres between each table.
- Allowing a maximum of five people to sit at each table (except for family dining).
- Reducing the restaurant's capacity to 50%.
- Encouraging clients to pay using credit cards rather than cash.
- Reducing the number of parking spaces available to customers to 50%.
- Barring smoking at the restaurant entrances and removing all containers designated for cigarette waste.
- Barring diners or limousine and taxi drivers from gathering at the entrance of tourist areas.
- Continuously measure the body temperature of restaurant staff, isolate employees who exhibit symptoms, and inform relevant authorities to take the necessary precautions and health measures.
- Continuously sterilise all restaurant facilities, including administrative offices, warehouses, employee housing, and affiliated vehicles.
“This decision will be effective from Tuesday, July 28, 2020, and may be subject to amendments and updates according to the latest developments in this regard. Any violation of this decision will subject perpetrators to legal accountability and procedures,” ministry said in a statement published on twitter.
The Ministry also emphasized that the success of each stage of the comprehensive plan for the gradual lifting of restrictions depends on the adherence of all individuals to the required preventive and precautionary measures.
