The Cabinet’s regular meeting held yesterday afternoon at the Amiri Diwan headquarters discussed the relaxation of several restrictions, given the current pandemic situation. The meeting was chaired by the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, His Excellency Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani. The changes in Covid-19 precautionary measures are effective from February 12, 2022 until further notice.

The latest development by the Cabinet relaxes the mandate of wearing masks in public spaces, except for a few special circumstances. However, the public must strictly adhere to the mandate in closed public spaces.

The following changes have been proposed:

1. Private and public sector employees can continue to work from their place of work.
2. Government and private sector employee meetings can continue with a maximum of 30 vaccinated people.
3. All public and private sector employees must undergo a Rapid Antigen test approved by MoPH, if they haven’t received all vaccine doses. Vaccinated and Covid-19-recovered employees are exempted.
4. All residents, visitors, and citizens are obligated to wear mask in all closed public spaces. It is not necessary to wear the mask in open public spaces except in:

• Organized public activities in open markets, exhibitions, and events
• Premises of schools, hospitals, universities, and mosqques

All workers who work in open-air establishments and whose nature of work requires interaction with customers must continue to wear masks even in open spaces.

5. EHTERAZ application on smartphones must be activated at all times for all citizens, residents, and visitors.
6. Mosques can continue to open for Friday prayers, open to public and children while adhering to precautionary measures prescribed by the concerned Ministries. The same applies for ablution and toilet facilities.
7. Social gatherings can continue in the following manner:

• In closed spaces, Maximum of 30 people who are vaccinated OR a maximum of 5 people who are not fully vaccinated

• In open spaces, maximum of 50 vaccinated people OR a maximum of 10 people who haven’t completed vaccination doses

8. Wedding parties can continue in the following manner:

• In a closed wedding hall, presence of people within 30% capacity and a maximum of 150 people, and the number of unvaccinated or semi-vaccinated people must not exceed 20 people within the allowed maximum.
• In an open wedding hall, presence of people within 50% capacity and a maximum of 300 people, and the number of unvaccinated or semi-vaccinated people must not exceed 50 people within the allowed maximum.

9. Public gatherings and sittings in parks, beaches, and the Corniche can continue to happen with a maximum of 30 people or family members from the same house. Walking, cycling, running, and usage of sports equipment and playgrounds can continue to remain open.

10. Capacity limit continues to be four people within a vehicle including the driver, unless every occupant belongs to same family or resides in the same house.

11. Buses can operate with occupants within 75% capacity of the bus.
12. Metro and public transport services continue to operate within 75% capacity with the smoking areas continuing to remain closed. Food and drink are not allowed on public transport.
13. Driving schools, private training centers, and educational centers can continue to operate at:

• Full capacity if at least 75% of the trainees are vaccinated
• Within 75% capacity if number of trainees who are vaccinated are less than 75%

Rapid antigen test must continue to be taken by all trainees who didn’t complete vaccination dosage.

14. Theaters and cinemas continue to operate at 50% capacity provided 75% of the customers are vaccinated and unvaccinated children are allowed and counted under the 25% unvaccinated category.
15. Nurseries can operate within 75% capacity, provided all workers have completed their Covid-19 vaccine dosage.
16. Museums and public libararies open at full capacity and entry is allowed for all vaccinated as well as unvaccinated adults and children.
17. Educational sessions held in centers for people with special needs can continue with a capacity of 5 people in one session, provided all trainers are vaccinated.
18. Professional sports training in outdoor and indoor spaces are allowed, with permission given for training for local and international tournaments approved by MoPH under these conditions:

• Training of age groups (18 years and under) with a capacity within 40 persons outdoors and 30 persons indoors, given that all are vaccinated. Unvaccinated trainees must undergo rapid antigen test. The public can attend the trainings limited to a capacity under 30% indoors and within 50% outdoors.
• Training in private clubs limited to maximum of 35 vaccinated people in open spaces and 25 vaccinated people in closed spaces. Unvaccinated trainees or those who didn’t receive full vaccine dosage are obligated to undergo Rapid Antigen test. No public attendance is allowed at these trainings.

19. Local and international sporting events can continue to happen within 75% of the public’s absorptive capacity in open spaces, and within 50% capacity in closed spaces: provided all are vaccinated with all doses of the vaccine. All events are to be conducted after approvals from MoPH.
20. Swimming pools and water parks con function at

• Capacity within 75% in open spaces
• Capacity within 50% in closed spaces, provided 75% of customers have completed doses of vaccine and unvaccinated children are allowed and considered under the non-vaccinated 25%.

All workers in these establishments must be fully vaccinated.

21. Provided all workers are vaccinated, all public and private healthcare centers and medical facilities operate at full capacity.
22. Cleaning and hospitality services companies can continue to send their fully vaccinated staff for full contracting hours.
23. Health clubs, gyms and massage services, can continue to open within 75% of the capacity, and changing rooms, showers, jacuzzi services, saunas, steam rooms, Moroccan and Turkish baths are allowed to open, provided that all workers in these facilities and clients are fully vaccinated.
24. Amusement parks and entertainment centers can operate at:

• Capacity within 75% in open spaces
• Capacity within 50% in closed spaces, provided 75% of customers have completed doses of vaccine and unvaccinated children are allowed and considered under the non-vaccinated 25%.

25. Beauty salons and barbershops can continue to remain open and operate at 50% capacity provided all workers and clients are vaccinated. Entry of children is limited to only two kids under 12 years at the premises at the same time.
26. Souqs can operate at full capacity, ensuring all shops in the souq operate with the prescribed norms by the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
27. Wholesale markets can operate at 75% capacity and entry is allowed for all in adherence to Ministry protocols.
28. Continuing to allow restaurants and cafes to serve food and beverages according to the following:

• In outdoor spaces, a full capacity for restaurants and cafes that have the Qatar Clean certificate and a maximum capacity of 50 percent for restaurants and cafes that meet the conditions determined by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• In indoor places, a maximum capacity of 75 percent for restaurants and cafes that have the Qatar Clean certificate, and a maximum capacity of 40 percent for restaurants and cafes that meet the conditions determined by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, provided that all customers have completed the COVID-19 vaccine doses, and allow entry to children under 12 years of age accompanied by their families only.

 In all cases, all workers in those facilities must be vaccinated.

29. Rental services of yacht and boats, tourist boats, and pleasure boats, given all workers have completed their vaccine dosage and number of boat occupants are limited to 50% capacity and a maximum of 40 people who are vaccinated. Only a maximum of 5 unvaccinated people are allowed (including children).
30. Commercial complexes can operate at full capacity and entry is allowed to everyone, irrespective of their vaccination status. Common restaurant areas within these complexes are operable within 50% capacity. Shops within these complexes will operate according to Ministry’s prescribed norms.

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Cover image credit & Source: Peninsula