All retail outlets in malls to open from July 1; no dine-in allowed inside mall restaurants

Doha: Ministry of Commerce and Industry has announced the details for the second stage of the gradual lifting of restrictions on malls, shopping centres and street markets from July 1. While allowing all retail outlets to open in shopping centres, Ministry has instructed restaurants inside malls to do only take away or home delivery.

“This decision goes into effect on Wednesday, July 1, 2020, In line with the previous decisions and measures adopted by Qatar to preserve the health and safety of citizens and residents, and to limit the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19), the following has been decided:

1. All retail outlets will be allowed to resume their activities in malls and commercial centres

2. Gaming centres, amusement parks, skateboard arenas, prayer rooms and cinemas will remain closed. Restaurants operating inside malls and commercial centres are allowed to deliver to home addresses, or hand over orders at the restaurant only. This decision also prohibits any artistic, cultural or recreational activities at malls and commercial centres.

3. All commercial outlets will be allowed to resume their operations in the following street markets:
The Gold Souq, Souq Al Ali and Al Gharafa Market, Thursday & Friday market, Souq Waqif Doha, Souq Al Wakrah and Al Saliliya Central market.

Malls, commercial centres and street markets must 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 comply with the following guidelines:

• Allow shoppers onto the premises only after checking the colour code identifying the individual's health condition in the Ehteraz app. Only green code holders are allowed in.
• Not to allow people without a medical mask, and compelling visitors to wear one throughout their time at the mall.
• Checking and measuring the body temperature of workers and visitors on arrival at the mall, and not allowing individuals with a temperature higher than 38 degrees Celsius to enter the premises.
• Providing hand sanitisers across mall facilities.
• Reminding visitors to maintain a safe distance of no less than two metres from other individuals at all times.
• Operating at less than 50% of the mall's regular capacity.
• Reducing the number of parking spaces available to visitors to 50%.
• Barring smoking at mall entrances, and removing all containers designated for cigarette waste (ashtrays).
• Preventing the gathering of visitors and limousine or taxi drivers at the entrance to malls.

Shops and retail outlets operating inside malls, commercial centres and street markets shall comply with the following measures:

• Continuously measure the body temperature of the outlet's staff, isolate employees who exhibit symptoms, and inform concerned authorities to take the necessary precautions and health measures in this regard.
• Abide by the decision to allow employees aged 60 and above, in addition to pregnant women and staff with chronic diseases, to work remotely.
• Place safe distancing stickers on the store's floor.
• Allow customers to enter retail outlets only according to the store's capacity. Only one individual is allowed per nine square metres.
• Encourage customers to pay using credit cards rather than using cash.
• Continuously sterilise all of the outlet's facilities, including administrative offices, warehouses, employee housing, and affiliated transportation facilities.

The ministry warned that any violation of this decision will subject perpetrators to legal accountability and procedures.