During the press conference organized by Hamad International Airport (HIA) and Qatar Airways, Badr Al-Meir, Chief Operating Officer of HIA and Salam Al Shawa, Senior Vice President Marketing & Corporate of Qatar Airways spoke about the measures taken to combat coronavirus (COVID-19) 

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Hamad International Airport

Those who are stuck here at HIA from different countries

Citizens from different countries are stuck here due to the closure of the home country’s airport. HIA and Qatar Airways ensured that they are taking care of the passengers and providing all the necessary things needed, said Al-Meir.

Precautionary measures are taken by HIA to reduce the spread of COVID-19

HIA continuously sanitizing all its facilities and implements stringent hygiene measures using approved hygiene materials on a 24/7 basis. Most of the employees are working from home to ensure the safety of the employees as well as passengers. Those working at the airport go through tests.

Qatar Airways

Measures to combat COVID-19

All the employees are well trained and distancing measure is being taken very seriously. In those flights which do not have a lot of passengers, Qatar Airways makes sure that the passengers are seated at a distance. In addition, the airplanes are well sanitized after each flight. Flight crews are tested before boarding the flights. Those who show any symptoms during the flight are sent for quarantine, commented Al Shawa.

There are over 3000 of the company's hospitality personnel subject to quarantine as a precaution, noting that only 14 of them had symptoms of COVID-19, she added.

Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications at Qatar Airways said that there are over 3000 of the company's hospitality personnel subject to quarantine as a precaution, noting that only 14 of them had symptoms of Coronavirus. #QNA

— Qatar News Agency (@QNAEnglish) March 31, 2020

Qatar Airways has acquired 500K COVID-19 test kits to contribute to Qatar relief efforts.

Cargo operations

@qatarairways cargo operations is crucial to our country. We transport essential goods and assist @MOPHQatar with their medical supplies needs that cannot wait to be transported by sea.

— Hamad Int'l Airport (@HIAQatar) March 31, 2020

Qatar Airways Cargo to move vital medical supplies to different parts of the world, says Al Shawa.

In addition to that, Qatar Airways is the first Middle Eastern carrier to resume belly-hold operations to all its destinations in China, with a weekly capacity out of the country of more than 1300 tonnes starting from March 30, 2020.

The airline understands this is a challenging time which is why it prioritizes to get people home.

Flights

Qatar Airways reduced its operations by 75% and will be down to 90% in the future. The airline understands this is a challenging time which is why it prioritizes to get people home.

Qatar Airways temporarily will hold flights to New York (JFK), Barcelona (BCN), and Madrid (MAD).

Here's everything you need to know about the virus, including ways to protect yourself. 

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Cover Image Credit: Twitter/Qatar Airways