As Qatar ramps up efforts to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), Qatar has made it mandatory to install the Ehteraz App on smartphones when leaving the house for any reason from Friday, May 22, 2020, until further notice. 

In order to protect the health and ensure the safety of citizens and residents, several supermarkets, banks, stores have announced that customers are required to show the Ehteraz App on their smartphone, and those with the green status, which indicates a healthy status, will be allowed to enter.

Earlier today, the Ehteraz app was updated with a new feature on the android play store. Those who do not hold a Qatari residence permit can still register with their visa number.

The new update now consists of two options on the home screen, QID Registration, and Visa Registration. When you choose the Visa Registration option, you will be required to provide a mobile number, via number, and fill in your nationality. After registering, you will be receiving a verification pin!

Recently, Sheikh Dr. Mohammed bin Hamad Al Thani, Director of the Public Health Department at MOPH, said, the app will play a key role in preventing the spread of the infection in the country.

When someone is diagnosed with COVID-19, every person with the Ehteraz app that they have recently been in contact with receives an alert to go to the health center to be checked, the official said.

In terms of requesting permission to access photos, Sheikh Dr. Mohammed said, "An alert may appear to request access to images and files automatically on some phones running the Android Operating System, but this is usual for such handsets."

He mentioned that the app requires this access to make sure the user data remains completely confidential and not compromised otherwise.

For any queries, or concerns related to COVID-19 in Qatar, the public can contact a 24/7 hotline set up by the Ministry. The hotline number is 16000 and is toll-free.

Here's everything you need to know about the virus, including ways to protect yourself. 

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