COVID-19 restrictions can be re-imposed if indicators affected adversely: Official

‘Qatar proud of exceptional achievement in addressing coronavirus pandemic’

TRANSITION from one phase to another depends on strict indicators and the extent of everyone’s commitment to the instructions. Restrictions can be re-imposed at any time if indicators are adversely affected and the data shows that there is a need to do so, a top health official has said.

“The second phase of easing the COVID-19 restrictions is a decisive phase because of the increased mingling of people. While more restrictions are lifted to restore life to normal in the second phase, the precautionary measures announced by the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) must be followed to protect ourselves, our families and our society as a whole,” Sheikh Dr Mohammed bin Hamad Al Thani, Director of the Public Health Department, said at a press conference on Thursday.

He said Qatar is proud of its exceptional achievement in addressing the coronavirus pandemic.

Nearly 100,000 people have been infected with COVID-19 in Qatar since the outbreak and more than 86,000 of them have recovered. Qatar has also been maintaining one of the lowest death rates linked to coronavirus in the world, with only 118 casualties so far. “This is an exceptional achievement,” he added.

He said the past few weeks have witnessed an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases among citizens and residents (other than expatriate workers), despite the decrease in the total daily infections in Qatar.

He added the source of the infection is often due to family gatherings and visits, and the lack of commitment to measures, especially physical distancing.

He advised the people at greater risk of complications from the disease, such as the elderly, pregnant women and people suffering from chronic diseases, to stay at home and not go out unless absolutely necessary and avoid all forms of social gatherings, including receiving visitors.

The MoPH has issued guidelines for the precautionary measures in the second phase of lifting COVID-19 restrictions.

The guidelines seek to provide advice based on research into best practices to facilitate the safe return of activities gradually, while observing precautionary measures that contribute to limiting the spread of the COVID-19.

The guidelines include the most prominent procedures to be implemented in gatherings, transportation, outdoor venues and professional sports, health and education, business and entertainment, with a focus on infection prevention and control.

The guidelines are visitors and employee awareness and physical distancing to maintain a safe distance, in addition to guidelines for groups most vulnerable to complications of the disease, such as the elderly and those with chronic diseases.

While more restrictions are lifted to restore life to normal in the second phase, the precautionary measures announced by the Ministry of Public Health must be followed to protect ourselves, our families and our society as a whole.” —Sheikh Dr Mohammed bin Hamad Al Thani

THE second phase includes allowing limited social gatherings with a maximum of five people indoors and 10 people outdoors.

The ministry advised people to be cautious and reduce social visits, including family visits as possible, and ensure that the requirements of the new phase are applied, including the accuracy of following all preventive measures, such as washing hands or sterilizing regularly, wearing masks, and adhering to a physical distance of at least 1.5 metres from others at all times, in addition to installing Ehteraz app.

The second phase also includes opening some retail markets, wholesale markets, museums and libraries to the public with a limited capacity, in addition to opening a limited number of restaurants with a limited capacity to ensure physical distancing, in addition to opening public parks, beaches and the corniche for all age groups with the application of distancing procedures and the continued closure of playgrounds, and allowing training in the open spaces and large halls for the professional category, with a maximum of ten people.

Vocational training courses are also allowed for small groups of up to 10 people indoors and groups of up to 50 people outdoors.

The second phase also witnesses the opening of more mosques to perform the five daily prayers with limited capacity.

Shopping centers will operate with an increased capacity of 50 percent. However, all restaurants within the shopping centres will remain closed.

It also allowed the number of employees who start their work in the public and private sectors to be increased to 50 percent as a maximum. The restrictions imposed on inbound flights to Doha remain unchanged as in the first phase.