Under additional measures to protect the health and safety of the citizens and residents of Qatar, the Cabinet has decided that all shops will remain closed and commercial activities will be suspended on Fridays and Saturdays until further notice.

The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting held earlier this afternoon via videoconference. The meeting was chaired by His Excellency the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani.

The decision does not apply to food and catering stores, pharmacies and restaurants that provide home deliveries, Qatar News Agency reported.

As an updating of the decisions and precautionary measures previously taken, the Cabinet decided to close the shops of all commercial activities on Friday and Saturday except stores of foodstuffs, pharmacies, and restaurants working on deliveries. #QNA

— Qatar News Agency (@QNAEnglish) April 8, 2020

Furthermore, the Council urged the people of Qatar to stay home and go out only when there is a necessity.

Following the meeting, HE the Minister of Justice and Acting Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, Dr Issa bin Saad Al-Jafali Al-Nuaimi said at the beginning of the meeting, the Council heard the explanation given by the Minister of Public Health Dr Hanan Mohammed Al Kuwari on the latest developments and developments to reduce the spread of the COVID-19.

The Cabinet lauded the efforts of the Ministry and its teams in the investigation and detection of COVID-19 patients.

The Cabinet praises the efforts made by the Ministry of Health, its early detection teams and all its employees, officials, doctors, medical personnel, and the efforts made by the ministries and the State agencies that have been playing their role effectively and responsibly.

— Qatar News Agency (@QNAEnglish) April 8, 2020

The Cabinet appreciated the work being carried out by the healthcare system as well as the support of all relevant authorities in the country to ensure the citizens and residents are protected against the virus.

On April 1, the Cabinet had also announced a series of decisions aimed at safeguarding the health of the population, including that of 80 percent of workers in the private sector to work remotely from home.