MoPH updates COVID-19 Travel and Return Policy; new guidelines for some Exceptional Red List countries

Nov 29, 2021

The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) today issued updates to Qatar’s COVID-19 Travel and Return Policy.

The Green, Red and Exceptional Red lists have been modified to include countries based on their current COVID-19 risk.

The new Green List now contains 175 countries. The full list is available here.

The Red List comprises 21 countries including the UK and UAE. Click here to see which other countries are on the list.

The Exceptional Red List has been expanded to 16 countries, with the addition of Indonesia. Check the full list here.

On its website, MoPH said, the Green and Red list will take effect on Monday, November 29, at 12.00 pm (midday), while the Exceptional Red List has been effective from Friday, November 26.

The MoPH has issued different policies for ‘some exceptional red list countries.’

MOPH has published updates to its COVID-19 Travel and Return Policy. The changes come into effect on Wednesday, 1 December 2021, at 6pm.
Visit the MOPH website to view the full policy https://t.co/DOTCyk9TOr pic.twitter.com/QUipKWLY1N
— وزارة الصحة العامة (@MOPHQatar) November 29, 2021

The following will apply for Botswana, Egypt, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe:

Group A: Citizens, GCC citizens, and residents of Qatar

Quarantine Policy:

Fully vaccinated and Unvaccinated travelers:

These travelers will be subject to a home quarantine for 7 days upon arrival in the country, with the option to choose to undergo hotel quarantine if desired.

Test Policy:

Before arrival:

Conduct a negative PCR test within 72 hours before arrival in Qatar.

After arrival:

In the case of home quarantine (all age groups):

Conduct a PCR test on arrival in Qatar at one of the ports.
A PCR test will be performed on arrival on the sixth day and if a negative test result appears, the person will be released from quarantine on the seventh day.

In the case of hotel quarantine (all age groups):

The PCR test will be done on the first day at the quarantine hotel after arrival.
A PCR test will be performed on the sixth day and if the test result is negative, the person will be released from quarantine on the seventh day.

B- GCC citizens

Quarantine Policy:

Fully vaccinated and Unvaccinated travelers:

These travelers will be subject to hotel quarantine for 7 days upon arrival in Qatar.

Test Policy:

Before arrival:

Conduct a negative PCR test within 72 hours before arrival in Qatar (All age groups).

After arrival:

The PCR test will be done on the first day at the quarantine hotel after arrival (all age groups).
A PCR test will be performed on the sixth day and if the test result is negative, the person will be released from quarantine on the seventh day (all age groups).

C- Residents of Qatar

Quarantine Policy:

1. Fully vaccinated travelers:

These travelers will be subject to quarantine for 7days upon arrival as follow:

Hotel quarantine for 2 days
Home quarantine for 5 days

Test Policy:

Before arrival:

Conduct a negative PCR test within 72 hours before arrival in Qatar (All age groups).

After arrival:

The PCR test will be done on the first day at the quarantine hotel after arrival (all age groups).
A PCR test will be performed on the sixth day and if the test result is negative, the person will be released from quarantine on the seventh day (all age groups).

Places to take a test (PCR):

In case of hotel quarantine:

quarantine hotel

In case of home quarantine:

Primary Health Care Corporation health centers
Private clinics/hospitals licensed by the Ministry of Public Health to conduct this test.

2. Unvaccinated travelers:

These travelers will be subject to hotel quarantine for 7 days upon arrival in Qatar.

Test Policy:

Before arrival:

Conduct a negative PCR test within 72 hours before arrival in Qatar (All age groups).

After arrival:

The PCR test will be done on the first day at the quarantine hotel after arrival (all age groups).
A PCR test will be performed on the sixth day and if the test result is negative, the person will be released from quarantine on the seventh day (all age groups).

Group B: Visitors to Qatar with pre-approved and on-arrival visas

Quarantine Policy:

1. Fully vaccinated travelers:

These travelers will be subject to hotel quarantine for 7 days upon arrival in Qatar.

Test Policy:

Before arrival:

Conduct a negative PCR test within 72 hours before arrival to Qatar (All age groups)

After arrival:

The PCR test will be done on the first day at the quarantine hotel after arrival (all age groups).
A PCR test will be performed on the sixth day and if the test result is negative, the person will be released from quarantine on the seventh day (all age groups).

2. Unvaccinated travelers