Qatar has left no stone unturned in ensuring that its population remains at minimum risk of being affected by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Relevant authorities in the country have been working above and beyond to lay out measures that ensure the safety and protection of the public amidst the global crisis. 

Just this week, the country closed cinemas, theatres, children’s play areas, gyms, and wedding venues, including those in hotels, under efforts to contain COVID-19. It also canceled and postponed several other events and facilities.

Yesterday, presiding over a meeting with officials from the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management to combat COVID-19, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani directed officials to ensure the provision of necessary services to the people of Qatar.

Among these, he emphasized, the utmost importance of providing safety and protection to citizens and residents against the virus, with a focus on ensuring continuity of normal life.

At the meeting, HH the Amir reviewed the national executive plan to confront the new COVID-19 infection.

The meeting took place at the National Command Center (NCC).

HH the Amir presiding over the meeting of the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management to combat the new Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) to determine the efforts made by the competent authorities in the State to prevent this epidemic #QNA pic.twitter.com/BEv1yNvxO4

— Qatar News Agency (@QNAEnglish) March 15, 2020

HH the Amir underlined the significance of the contributions of all departments (including public and private sector entities) to support the efforts of the relevant authorities who are striving to prevent the epidemic.

He also highlighted the importance of social responsibility at this time and noted that citizens and residents should play their part in reducing the spread of the virus. This can be done by taking all the recommended preventive measures that the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has advised. 

His Excellency the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani, who is also the Chairman of the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management, and members of the committee, including ministers and senior officials also attended the meeting. 

As added measures to curb the spread of the infection, officials of the Committee announced several important decisions including the cancelation of all incoming flights to Qatar (except cargo and transit) from Wednesday, March 18.  

As health authorities in the country continue to implement the highest level of monitoring, detection, and management procedures to deal with the virus, the public has been advised to follow certain measures to safeguard their health.

This includes washing your hands often, using hand sanitizers, and keeping a distance of at least one meter (3 feet) from people who have symptoms of illness.

MoPH also advises citizens and residents to use a sleeve to cover the nose and mouth while coughing and sneezing in public or to use tissue paper and dispose it appropriately.

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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Source: Gulf Times