Qatar has been utilizing advanced technologies in its fight against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) with a focus on raising awareness and ensuring the implementation of preventive and precautionary measures.

Aimed at limiting the spread of the disease, the country had introduced a dedicated app named 'Ehteraz,' which means precaution.

The app has played an important role in tracking disease transmission chains, alerting individuals about the risk of contracting COVID-19, and helping medical teams reach suspected COVID-19 patients promptly.

Yesterday, the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) announced some new features on the Ehteraz app, which comprise the following:

New Ehteraz map functionality for home quarantine

A new Ehteraz update has been launched that will enable people to set the location of their Home Quarantine using a map location function.

All individuals who have been placed into Home Quarantine will have the ability to use the map/pin drop location functionality within the first 24 hours of their Ehteraz status turning to YELLOW. "Set Quarantine Location" will appear under the QR code on the health status page of the App when applicable.

This is to be used only in situations either where the Blue Plate address is not available, or in cases where the individual chooses to remain in quarantine in a location other than their primary residence.

If the individual will carry out their quarantine in their primary residence which has a defined Blue Plate, they do not need to use this function on Ehteraz, as their primary residence will automatically be used by Ehteraz.

Individuals will only be able to use this function one time, and the location will be locked once used.

Ministry of Public Health announces new Ehteraz functionalities for home quarantine and COVID-19 vaccination status.#YourSafetyIsMySafety pic.twitter.com/tjZt2ya0r9

— وزارة الصحة العامة (@MOPHQatar) February 12, 2021

New Ehteraz display for vaccination status

All individuals who have received the full course of the given COVID-19 vaccination (two doses for the current vaccines in Qatar), will have this displayed on their Ehteraz App seven days after the last dose was given.

The new status will appear on the health status page of the App as a Golden Frame around the QR code, and a vaccinated stamp image. The QR code may still be any of the four colors depending on the individual's status, but will be surrounded by the Golden Frame if fully vaccinated.

Additionally, the app will feature a tab called 'vaccination' that will showcase the details of the individual's vaccination. This will include the dates the dose(s) were taken coupled with the name of the vaccine.

The Ministry highlighted that at this time, the new vaccination status on the Ehteraz does not change any policies or protocols regarding those set forward by the government of Qatar, meaning all mandates still apply such as social distancing, mask-wearing, and quarantine protocols.

Recently, a senior public health official announced that people aged 50 and above are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in Qatar.

Earlier this week, the Ministry also revealed that Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine is now approved for emergency use in the State of Qatar.

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Source: MoPH