As Qatar intensifies its fight against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) to safeguard the health of its population, the country's Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI) has issued a set of precautionary conditions for retail outlets to abide by.

The Ministry has called on all sales outlets to adhere to the following conditions to ensure the safety of citizens and residents:

- Measuring the body temperature of staff members twice a day

- Providing sanitizers/sterilizers at main entrances, gathering places and toilets

- Sterilizing shopping carts before their use by shoppers

- Continuously sterilizing surfaces such as refrigerator doors and handles

The ministry compels retail outlets to abide by set of precautionary conditions, to protect the safety of citizens and residents. #Qatar #YourSafetyIsMySafety pic.twitter.com/QzmmoFkcd9

— وزارة التجارة والصناعة (@MOCIQatar) March 19, 2020

According to an announcement, MOCI shared on its official Twitter page, this initiative is part of the precautionary and preventive measures that the Ministry announced to limit the spread of COVID-19.

This is in accordance with Article 13 of the Consumer Protection Law No. 8 of 2008, which requires suppliers to comply with health and safety requirement, the Ministry stated.

The instructions to retail outlets complement the Ministry's earlier efforts taken in the interest of the public, prioritizing their health and safety during the current COVID-19 situation.

Earlier, MOCI said it is carrying out inspections to control prices and prevent monopolistic practices. The Ministry confirmed that it is working within a pre-defined plan to ensure the continued flow of goods, services, food items, and subsidized products in the local market without any interruption.

Recently, the Ministry also released a list of 214 products (hand sanitizers, wipes, and soaps) and their maximum prices.

Meanwhile, hypermarkets and supermarkets in Doha are working hard to ensure a clean environment within their stores as well as taking the necessary precautions when delivering online orders, Gulf Times reported. 

As authorities in Qatar continue taking steps to protect the population in the country against the COVID-19 disease, the country's initiatives in this regard have received WHO praise.

As of now, 10 COVID-19 patients in Qatar have recovered from the infection and many others are on the path to recovery. 

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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