COVID curbs on commercial activities come into effect

QNA Doha The decision to re-impose some restrictions on commercial activities began on Saturday, in line with current situations and to complement previous...

QNADohaThe decision to re-impose some restrictions on commercial activities began on Saturday, in line with current situations and to complement previous decisions and measures taken by Qatar to preserve the safety and health of citizens and residents as well as to limit the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.Assistant Undersecretary for Commerce Affairs at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry Saleh bin Majid Al-khulaifi said the aim of re-imposing some restrictions on commercial activities is to protect the society and commercial establishments alike from a health point of view. He said the ministry was keen not to close any commercial activities, and to emphasize maintaining the circulation of the commercial wheel, after an increase in the number of COVID-19 infections, which was recently observed.He said these measures support and stimulate activities that maintain precautionary measures, and tighten control over high-risk activities, as the absorptive capacity will be reduced in many activities, especially crowded places such as malls and restaurants.He stressed the need for companies, commercial establishments, shopping centers, restaurants and cafes to abide by the announced restrictions and rates.He also pointed out that the Ministry of Commerce and Industry will intensify inspection campaigns to monitor commercial establishments and ensure their compliance with the measures, procedures and requirements set by the Ministry of Public Health to prevent the virus, and commercial establishments that violate the decisions will be punished.The Ministry of Commerce and Industry had re-imposed some restrictions on commercial activities, starting today (Saturday), as follows:Shopping Centers:● Work with a capacity not exceeding 75 percent of the total normal capacity.● Work with a capacity not exceeding 30% of the total normal capacity in restaurant halls.● Allowing the opening of prayer places, changing rooms and toilets.● Only vaccinated clients are allowed to enter.Popular markets:● Work with a capacity not exceeding 75 percent of the total normal capacity.● Only vaccinated clients and their children under the age of 12 are allowed to enter.● Vaccinated customers and their children under 12 years of age are allowed to eat indoors, according to the following capacities:• 50% for restaurants that have the “Clean Qatar” certificate.• 30% for pre-qualified restaurants.• Allowing vaccinated customers and their children under the age of 12 to eat in open spaces, according to the following capacities:• 75% for restaurants that have the “Clean Qatar” certificate.• 40% for pre-qualified restaurants.• Allow the provision of open buffet services.• Suspension of shisha services.• Redistribution of tables, leaving a safe distance between them.Health clubs, gyms and massage centers:• Work with a capacity not exceeding 50 percent of the total normal capacity.• Only vaccinated clients are allowed to enter.• Only all immunized employees are allowed to enter.• Closure of shower and changing rooms, steam rooms, Moroccan baths and saunas.Swimming pools, water parks, amusement parks and recreational centers:• Closed spaces: Allowing work with a capacity not exceeding 50 percent of the total normal capacity.• Allowing entry to customers who have obtained the necessary doses of the anti-coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccine only.Open spaces: Allowing work with a capacity not exceeding 75 percent of the total normal capacity.Beauty and barber salons:• Work with a capacity not exceeding 50 percent of the total normal capacity.• Only vaccinated clients are allowed to enter.• Only vaccinated employees are allowed to enterThe Ministry of Commerce and Industry called for the necessity for administrators and workers in all commercial activities to adhere to the application of social distancing and health and safety measures, stressing that any violation of what was stipulated in this decision exposes its perpetrators to procedures and legal accountability, and that this decision is subject to amendment and update according to developments and updates in this regard.