All outlets, including cafes and restaurants, offices, industrial units and clinics, will have to remain closed for 90 minutes during Friday prayers.

A law passed by the Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani yesterday makes the closure that would begin from the first call for Friday prayers (azan) mandatory.

The legislation (Law No. 5 of 2015) is to be published in the official gazette after which it will be effective, reports QNA.

The law says that violators are to be fined QR10,000.

The law also permits some small home-based businesses and rules for such businesses will be issued separately by the Minister of Economy and Commerce.

The law makes it legally binding on all businesses, including shops, cafes, restaurants, hotels, clinics, hospitals, vendors, clubs, and industrial units, among others, to be licensed by the Ministry of Economy and Commerce.

This license will be irrespective of the fact that some other state agency or agencies have also provided the license to an entity to operate.

The Ministry of Economy and Commerce will soon issue an extensive list of those outlets that will require a license [The Peninsula]

Photo by Alan Holden