Qatar Announces Gradual Lifting of Restrictions in 4 Phases Starting June 15

The Ministry recently announced that restrictions implemented for the last two months will be gradually lifted. The first phase will start on June 15, 2020.

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There will be a total of four phases for the gradual lifting of restrictions. The fourth phase will commence in September of this year.

gradual lifting of restrictions

Good news to the citizens and residents of Qatar

Qatar has an efficient health system, which is why it has one of the lowest recorded casualties since the pandemic started. Another factor is the cooperation of the society in complying with the restrictions implemented a few months ago.

Here is the twees from Qatar’s Government Communications Office:

With this development, officials will begin lifting these restrictions. There will be four phases in all. Here is the schedule of implementation, together with the conditions:

Phase 1 – to begin on June 15, 2020

In terms of group gathering, a limited number of mosques will be reopened gradually. Safety precautions will still be in place. However, mosques will be closed on Fridays.

In terms of transportation, citizens can sail using their personal boats. Those who have essential flights out of the country will be allowed to leave. Upon their return, travelers will be required to undergo 14-day quarantine in a facility that the government will assign. The traveler will shoulder the accommodation of their quarantine.

Outdoor sports will also be allowed but should be held in select areas such as parks. Meanwhile, professional training can also start. But these should be held in large open spaces and participants should have a 1:5 ratio.

Private health care facilities can accept patients up to 40% of its capacity. Ambulance services will still operate.

Select shops found inside malls can reopen during the first phase. However, shoppers should not exceed 30% of the mall’s area.

Employees will be allowed to report for work physically but should be limited to 20% of the workforce. Health and safety precautions will still be observed.

Phase 2 – to begin on July 1, 2020

A total of 10 people will be allowed to gather publicly. Mosques will reopen gradually, but still with restrictions.

Leisure transport will still be allowed but only for families of less than 10 members.

Parks, Corniche and beaches will be reopened. Meanwhile, professional training for less than 10 participants will be allowed as long as these are held in large open spaces.

Some private health care facilities can increase by up to 60% the number of patients they accept.

All malls will be allowed to open but will have restricted opening hours and number of shoppers. Souks and wholesale markets will have the same restrictions. Meanwhile, some restaurants can accept a small number of diners.

Museums and libraries can reopen but will operate on restricted hours and number of patrons.

Up to 50% of the employees can report physically for work. Safety precautions will still be observed.

Phase 3 – to begin on August 1, 2020

The number of participants for public gatherings will be increased to a maximum of 40. Meanwhile, a total of 54 mosques will reopen, as well as allowing for Friday prayers.

Low-risk inbound flights will be allowed, especially for priority passengers. On the other hand, driving schools will be reopened.

Playgrounds and skate parks will reopen. Team training is allowed while increasing the number of participants to 40. Also, sports competitions will be allowed as long as there are no spectators. A maximum of 40 participants will be allowed to join.

Select private health care facilities can increase the number of patients they accept to 80%.  Also, nurseries and childcare facilities will be allowed to reopen.

Malls can open at their regular business hours, while souqs and wholesale markets will operate on restricted hours and number of shoppers. Some restaurants can increase their diners.

Gyms, health clubs, and pool facilities will reopen and can accept members up to 50% of its capacity. Beauty salons, massage parlors, and barbershops will also accommodate up to half of their usual customers. Some private training centers can open but on a restricted operation.

Up to 80% of the employees can report for work, while still observing safety precautions set by the government.

Phase 4 – to begin on September 1, 2020

All kinds of gatherings, such as weddings, conferences, and trade shows, are allowed. More mosques will be reopened, and Friday prayers will still be allowed.

Cinemas and theatres will be allowed to reopen, but patrons will still follow safety precautions.

Leisure trips on excursion boats will be allowed. Meanwhile, more inbound flights will be also be allowed upon the recommendation of the Ministry of Public Health. Metro trains and buses will operate, but with restrictions.

Summer camps and other activities will be allowed. Sports activities and competitions will also be allowed. Spectators will be allowed to watch the games.

Some health care facilities can operate to its full capacity. Meanwhile, the new academic year will start.

These business establishments can operate to full capacity: malls, souks, wholesale parks, museums and libraries, health clubs, gyms, pool facilities, beauty salons, massage parlors, barbershops, and private training centers. Home services will also be allowed.

Restaurants will still gradually return to their usual operations. Finally, all employees can now report physically to their offices, while still observing health precautions.

Through everyone’s efforts, Qatar is able to contain the pandemic. These phases will help assure that the people will remain safe and healthy while there is no known cure.

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