The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) announced the details of the plan to gradually lift the restrictions imposed to limit the spread of COVID-19 over four phases with each phase lasting three weeks, as of May 28.

In a joint press conference with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) on Sunday evening, the MoPH said that the first phase of the plan for the gradual lifting of restrictions will start on May 28.

It may start on May 23 if the public adhered to the health requirements during the blessed Eid Al Fitr and health indicators allow that. The second phase will start on June 18, the third on July 9, and the fourth on July 30.

Regarding the criteria for determining each stage, Dr. Abdullatif Al Khal, Head of the Infectious Diseases Division at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) explained that the first phase is a limited spread of the virus in society, the second is a low spread of the virus, the third is a simple spread, and the fourth stage is a non-spread of the virus, but rather sporadic infections.

The ministry decided to grant some privileges to those who received the two doses of COVID-19 vaccination.

"Unlike last year, we will be able to make more freedoms available to those people who are vaccinated where they will enjoy certain privileges before others," said Dr. Al Khal.

Phase 1 of lifting restrictions:

Gatherings:

Social gatherings

Allow social gatherings for vaccinated individuals for up to 10 people outdoors (5 if they are not vaccinated) and 5 indoors. Unvaccinated individuals can only gather outdoors (maximum 5).

Mosques

Allow the continuation of daily and Friday prayers in mosques with no children under 12 years old allowed, and the closure of toilets and ablution areas.

Weddings

Wedding parties are not allowed in the first stage. Such parties will be allowed starting phase two, with certain restrictions on the venues and capacity.

Transportation

Boats

- Allowing personal boats with a maximum capacity of 10 individuals (only 2 of which may be unvaccinated). 

- Excursion and tourist boats will remain suspended, while rental boats will be allowed only for families in the same household. 

- All staff in the boat must be vaccinated.

Public transport

Allow the operation of public transport at 30% capacity, including Fridays and Saturdays.

Driving school

Allow the re-opening of driving schools at 30% capacity. Vaccinated staff is allowed to run lessons.

Outdoors and professional sports

Parks & Beaches

Allow groups of 5 people and members of the same household to gather in the parks, beaches, and Corniche, with a capacity of private beaches limited to 30%.

Preparatory training 

Allow preparatory training for local and international tournaments approved by the MoPH. Professional training allowed indoors and outdoors. Amateur sports training allowed for vaccinated people only with a capacity of 10 outdoors and 5 indoors.

Sports events

Allow selected professional sports events with a vaccinated spectator capacity of 30% outdoors only.

Education

- Allow blended learning in schools at 30% capacity.

- Continue to allow 1.5 sessions in special needs centers. All instructors must be vaccinated.

- Allow training centers to operate at 30% capacity. All trainers must be vaccinated.

- Allow the re-opening of nurseries and childcare centers at a maximum capacity of 30%. All staff must be vaccinated.

Business and Leisure 

Shopping malls

Maintain shopping malls capacity at 30% and closure of food courts (except for pick up and delivery), while children under 12 will not be allowed.

Souqs 

Allow souqs to operate at 30% capacity, including Fridays and Saturdays, with no children under 12 allowed.

Wholesale markets

Maintaining capacity in the wholesale markets at 30% with no children under 12 allowed.

Restaurants

Allow outdoor dining at 30% capacity for all restaurants, and 30% indoor (for vaccinated people only) capacity for restaurants that are part of the Qatar Clean Program.

Theme parks & leisure centers

Allow the re-opening of theme parks and leisure centers at 30% capacity outdoors. Indoor activities will be limited to vaccinated people only with a maximum capacity of 20%.

Gyms & health clubs

Allow gyms and health clubs to re-open at 30% capacity for outdoors. Indoor activities will be limited to vaccinated people only with a maximum capacity of 20%.

Swimming pools

Allow swimming pools and water parks to re-open at 30% capacity outdoors. Indoor activities will be limited to vaccinated people only with a maximum capacity of 20%.

Cinema

Allow reopening of cinemas and theatres at a maximum capacity of 30% for only vaccinated people over 16 years old.

Barbershops & hairdresser 

Allow the reopening of barbershops and hairdressers at a maximum capacity of 30% for vaccinated clients. All staff must be vaccinated.

Museums & Libraries

Allow the re-opening of museums and libraries at a maximum capacity of 30%.

Cleaning & Hospitality services 

- At home, vaccinated staff can work in more than one household and each house may have more than one vaccinated staff member.

- At workplaces, vaccinated staff can operate at 30% capacity during working hours.

Workplace

Maintain capacity at the workplace at 50%, with essential business meetings limited to 15 vaccinated people.

Exhibitions & Conferences

It's not allowed to hold any conferences, exhibitions, and cultural events in the first phase. These events will be allowed starting phase two, based on the risk assessment by MoPH and with restrictions on capacity.

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Source: MoPH Qatar