African ambassadors commend Qatar for measures to contain Covid-19

AS Qatar rolls out a number of precautionary measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country, African ambassadors in Qatar have praised the leadership of the country for the proactive steps in handling the situation. Besides aggressively raising awareness of how people can protect themselves and equipping health facilities to fight the disease, the Qatar government has suspended the public transportation services, banned all social gatherings, started distance learning for students and stopped inbound flights, among many other measures to contain the virus. Qatar Tribune Catherine W Gichuki, Speaking to

’s some African ambassadors applauded the government for taking such measures, describing them as “the right moves that are helping in stemming the spread of the disease”.

Excerpts:

SOUTH AFRICAN AMBASSADOR TO QATAR HE FAIZEL MOOSA

As South Africa entered its 21day lockdown on Thursday, March 26, by the order of President Cyril Ramaphosa after the cabinet declared COVID-19 a National Disaster, I must commend Qatar’s Supreme Committee for Crisis Management chaired by the Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani and Minister of Public Health HE Dr Hanan Mohammed al Kuwari, for their swift action in dealing with the spread of COVID-19. The rapid response has already assisted in flattening the curve while many other countries are still deciding how to deal with this pandemic. This is evident as Qatar is recording a number of recoveries. I also want to echo HH Sheikha Moza’s voice through her tweet a few days ago urging people to use this time to do introspection and to reconnect with families. As South Africans in Qatar, we pledge our support to Qatar in its efforts to dealing with this situation International disaster. I call on all South Africans and my fellow Africans in Qatar to comply with the rules in all respects. Let’s be a part of the solution and not the problem.

RWANDAN AMBASSADOR TO QATAR HE FRANCOIS NKULIKIYIMFURA

As the current confirmed cases of Covid-19 have spanned the globe, the Embassy of Rwanda commends Qatar for the regularly updated information of the extent of COVID-19 in the country, and for progressively putting in place preventive and precautionary measures to curb the spread of the virus. These measures came as early warning mechanisms that have helped prevent the worst-case scenario of COVID-19 in the country. The measures have also yielded tangible results as there has not been death of COVID-19 patient since February, 29, when the first positive case was officially announced in the country, recovery of many people and discharge ofover 120 from the quarantine after they tested negative to COVID-19 following several tests. The Embassy of Rwanda is keeping close contacts with the Rwandan community in Qatar and has requested them to abide by Qatar’s guidelines to counter the spread of COVID-19 in the country and beyond. The Embassy has suspended its consular services and also requested its local staff to stay home since March 18, 2020. It is only through the enforcement of these precautionary measures that together we can overcome the COVID-19 that is causing unimaginable social and economic losses throughout the world. KENYAN AMBASSADOR TO QATAR HE PADDY C AHENDA

The coronavirus pandemic has continued to ravage the world and has become a global health

concern. Here in Qatar and in Kenya, the governments have instituted drastic measures to deal with the situation. It’s our hope that these measures will help contain any further spread of the virus. We must admit that Qatar’s government and competent authorities have put in place all that is humanly possible to curb the spread of the virus. It is in this regard that we appeal to all Kenyans in Qatar to follow closely the guidelines issued by the Qatari government and competent authorities. I also want to take this opportunity to thank the Qatari government and our government for their tireless efforts in combating the spread of the virus. I would like to urge all fellow Kenyans to remain calm and continue giving moral support to their compatriots and colleagues and to comply with instructions and measures, especially the advice to remain home. The embassy is monitoring the developments and will keep the members updated through community leaders on any new development both in Qatar and in Kenya. In case of any inquiries and emergencies, people can reach the embassy through +97450009832, which is open 24/ 7, email: information@kenyaembassydoha.com and Twitter: @Labourdoha, Facebook : Kenya in Doha Qatar.

GHANAIAN AMBASSADOR TO QATAR HE EMMANUEL ENOS

I have been highly impressed with the preventive measures and the containment protocols put in place by the Qatar government since the outbreak of this deadly menace. What is particularly delightful is the human-centered policies put in place to help alleviate the hardships of the private sector operatives and the residents of the country whose business fortunes and livelihoods are being impacted negatively by this pandemic. While taking care of the people to ensure they don’t contract the disease, the government has provided commendable facilities for those diagnosed with the virus. The embassy is in coordination with Ghanaian community leadership to sensitise the members to adhere to the preventive protocols espoused by both the governments of Qatar and Ghana. I can happily report that so far, they have heeded the advice and we have not recorded any casualty.

ETHIOPIAN AMBASSADOR TO QATAR HE SAMIA ZEKARIA

Under the noble leadership of the Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad alThani,Qatar has made a lot of efforts against COVID-19 pandemic by mobilising the frontline fighters, health officials, citizens and expatriates, business people, ministries, higher government officials and other stakeholders to protect the society and the country at large. The Supreme Committee for Crisis Management is making a noble effort in providing timely briefings on daily developments, decisions and precautionary measures which have helped to withstand the impact of the pandemic. The people and residents of Qatar also need appreciation as they continue to adhere to the advice of the committee, health professionals and the government. Our embassy is also spontaneously providing every updates of the government’s decisions, alerts, instructions and precautionary measures to the community members via its social media accounts and various communication channels. It is also practising a ‘remote working’ in which the staff of the embassy are providing services from home.

TANZANIAN AMBASSADOR TO QATAR HE FATMA MOHAMMED RAJAB

I would like to commend Qatar for the firm commitment to protect the health and safety of the people in the country. I would like to praise Qatar for working tirelessly to tackle the spread of COVID-19. However, citizens and residents must do their part to obey the rules and bring awareness to their communities to protect themselves and others. While the health authorities in Qatar continue to implement the highest level procedures and proactive measures to deal with the pandemic, I would like to commend Minister of Public Health HE Dr Hanan Mohamed al Kuwari for her role to contain the virus in coordination with Qatar Supreme Committee for Crisis Management under the leadership of HE Lolwah bint Rashid bin Mohammed al Khater. The Embassy of Tanzania has also taken measures to circulate messages translated into Swahili, local language of Tanzania, to the Tanzanian community in Qatar to raise awareness about precautionary measures.