COVID curbs to be eased from May 28

Tribune News Network Doha COVID-19 restrictions in Qatar will be gradually lifted in four phases from May 28, a senior health official has revealed. “With ...

Tribune News NetworkDohaCOVID-19 restrictions in Qatar will be gradually lifted in four phases from May 28, a senior health official has revealed.“With the potential spike post -Eid Al Fitr a distinct possibility, the first phase of the lifting of restrictions is planned to start on May 28. This will allow sufficient time to analyse the data and determine the impact of Eid,” Dr Abdullatif Al Khal, Chair of the National Strategic Group on COVID-19, said during a press conference on Sunday.Dr Al Khal, who is also the Head of the Infectious Diseases Division at Hamad Medical Corporation, said, “In recent weeks the combined impact of COVID-19 restrictions, increasing vaccination rates, and the overwhelming support of the community, has resulted in a consistent reduction in the number of new daily infections in the country.”He said, “However, we still need to be cautious as we are not out of the second wave yet and we are still dealing with two highly contagious and highly virulent strains of the virus that are actively circulating in the community.” The phased reopening may begin on May 23, in case the people avoid social gatherings during Eid, he added.The plan is to gradually lift restrictions in four phases with each phase lasting three weeks, he added.The second phase will start on June 18, the third phase on July 9 and the fourth phase on July 30, 2021.“The date of implementation and the duration of each phase will depend on the epidemic indicators which depend to a great extent on the degree of compliance of the community members with the current measures, restrictions and guidance by the government,” Dr Al Khal added. Starting from May 28, the Phase I of the lifting of restrictions will be as follows:As per cleaning and hospitality services, 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 percent capacity during working hours. Workplaces can continue to operate at 50 percent with essential business meetings limited to 15 vaccinated people. Holding conferences, exhibitions and cultural events will not be allowed. Such events will be allowed starting Phase II, based on risk assessment by the Ministry of Public Health and with restrictions on capacity. Shopping malls will continue to operate at a maximum capacity of 30 percent. Food courts will remain closed except for pick-up and delivery service. Children under 12 will not be allowed. Restaurants will be allowed to operate at a maximum capacity of 30 percent for outdoor dining. Restaurants that are part of the Qatar Clean Programme can operated at a maximum 30 percent capacity indoors for vaccinated clients only.Souqs will be allowed to operate at 30 percent capacity, including on Fridays and Saturdays. However, children under 12 are not allowed. Wholesale markets will continue to operate at 30 percent with no children under 12 allowed. Cinemas and theatres will be allowed to reopen at a maximum capacity of 30 percent for only vaccinated people over 16 years old. Barbershops and hairdressers will be allowed to re-open at a maximum capacity of 30 percent for vaccinated clients. All staff must be vaccinated. Museums and libraries will be allowed to reopen with a maximum capacity of 30 percent. Theme parks and leisure centres will reopen with a maximum 30 percent capacity. Indoor activities will be limited to vaccinated people only with a maximum capacity of 20 percent. Gyms and health clubs will re-open at 30 percent capacity only for vaccinated clients. All staff must be vaccinated. Swimming pools and water parks will re-open at 30 percent capacity outdoors. Indoor activities will be limited to vaccinated people only with a maximum capacity of 20 percent.Blended learning will continue in schools with a maximum 30 percent capacity. Continue to allow 1:5 sessions in special needs centres. All instructors must be vaccinated. Training centres will be allowed to operate at 30 percent capacity. All trainers must be vaccinated. Nurseries and childcare centers will reopen at a maximum capacity of 30 percent. All staff must be vaccinated.Social gatherings for vaccinated people will be allowed with up to 10 people outdoors (or 5 if it includes unvaccinated people) and 5 people indoors. Unvaccinated people can only gather outdoors with a maximum of 5 people. Daily and Friday prayers will be allowed in mosques, with no children under 12 years old allowed. Toilets and ablution areas will remain closed.Wedding parties will not be allowed. Such parties will be allowed starting from Phase II, with certain restrictions on venues and capacity. Groups of five people and members of the same household will be allowed to gather in parks, beaches and Corniche, with capacity of private beaches limited to 30 percent.Preparatory training for local and international tournaments approved by the Ministry of Public Health will be allowed. Professional training will allowed indoors and outdoors. Amateur sports training will be allowed for vaccinated people only with a capacity of 10 outdoors and five indoors. Selected professional sports events with a vaccinated spectator capacity of 30 percent outdoors only will be allowed. Personal boats with a maximum capacity of 10 people (only 2 of which may be unvaccinated) will be allowed.Excursion and touristic boats will remain suspended, while rental boats will be allowed only for families from the same household. All staff must be vaccinated. Public transport will be allowed to operate at 30% capacity, including Fridays and Saturdays. Driving schools will be allowed to reopen at 30% capacity. Vaccinated staff are allowed to run lessons. Public compliance to precautionary measures will play a key role in the successful implementation of this plan.