UPDATE: MARCH 22, 11.30 AM -- Information about food stores, restaurants and pharmacies has been updated according to a tweet by the Government Communciations Office (GCO).

UPDATE: MARCH 22, 9.00 AM -- This article has been updated to include a clarification from the Ministry of Interior. The clarification is regarding the prevention of riding more than one person in the same vehicle. According to the Ministry, the prohibition stipulated in the decision referred to in the statement at the press conference does not include transportation by cars, buses or trucks as long as it is for necessary purpose.

Qatar announced additional measures today to ensure the population remains at low risk of being affected by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Her Excellency Lolwah bint Rashid Al-Khater, Spokesperson for the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management, announced the latest preventive measures implemented by the State of Qatar to limit the spread of coronavirus.

The measures include stopping all gatherings in public places, such as Corniche and others are prohibited by law. 

Mobile patrols will be deployed and anyone who violates the decision will be seized and checkpoints will be set up in different parts of the country. This also includes vehicles. 

The Ministry of the Interior affirms that the prohibition stipulated in the decision referred to in the statement at the press conference does not include transportation by cars, buses or trucks as long as it is for necessary purpose and therefore it must be noted.

— Ministry of Interior (@MOI_QatarEn) March 21, 2020

Ministry of Interior (MOI) earlier also announced the launch of a dedicated hotline for complaints regarding quarantine.

In a tweet on its official Twitter page, MOI said the hotline 44579999 can be used by citizens and residents "to submit queries and complaints about quarantine (hotels - homes), and to report cases of non-compliance with health and security guidelines for the prevention of COVID-19."

What about funerals and other occasions?

This new measure includes cancelling all types of gatherings. There is no exception.

What about restaurants and others?

HE Lolwah AlKhater confirmed that food stores and pharmacies as well as delivery services, including restaurants, will operate as normal.

 

Who should stay under quarantine?

“We call upon all individuals who recently returned to Qatar, or those who doubt they were in contact with someone affected with COVID-19, needs to quarantine themselves. We hope no one takes it lightly. A lot of you feel unaffected. However, we are facing increasingly bigger number amongst younger people in critical conditions and wish everyone contributes,” says Dr. Abdullatif Al Khal, the Deputy Chief Medical Officer and Director of the Department of Medical Education.

About those tested positives with COVID-19?

As of today, the total number of COVID-19 recovery in Qatar has reached 27. Some of the patients are in critical conditions and are in ICU. However, those numbers keep changing.

After being tested for COVID-19, how long it takes to get the result?

The test takes around four-six hours. The result depends on the number of individuals being tested for COVID-19.

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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