It was recently decided that these establishments: telecommunications companies, pharmacies, factories, restaurants and food stores, petrol stations, e-commerce companies, and food distribution companies are exempted from the 6 AM to 7 PM store hours. The Ministry of Commerce and Investment issued this statement.
Earlier, the Ministry also decided that the following outlets be closed temporarily: outlets serving hot and cold beverages, coffee shops, and cafeterias. These directives are part of the government efforts to curb the outbreak. (SEE ALSO: Qatar Implements Additional Measure Against Pandemic)
Vital Services Exempt from New Working Hours
A new decision regarding the store hours of vital services and businesses has been announced. According to the Ministry of Commerce and Investment, these establishments: telecommunications companies, pharmacies, factories, restaurants and food stores, petrol stations, e-commerce companies, and food distribution companies are exempted from the 6 AM to 7 PM store hours. Establishments who will not comply with the decision will be subject to legal action.
Here is the announcement:
The Ministry has issued a decision to change the working hours of companies and commercial shops, vital services exempted from the decision. #Qatar #YourSafetyIsMySafety pic.twitter.com/d4vNVQja2J
— وزارة التجارة والصناعة (@MOCIQatar) March 28, 2020
Moreover, the following outlets were also ordered to shut down temporarily: outlets serving hot and cold beverages, coffee shops, and cafeterias. These decisions are now in place to ensure that there less public gathering. It also promotes social distancing.
This is the decision:
The Ministry has issued a decision to shutdown all the following outlets: outlets serving hot and cold beverages, coffee shops and cafeterias. The decision is effective until further notice. #Qatar #YourSafetyIsMySafety pic.twitter.com/RQIXm8OW7a
— وزارة التجارة والصناعة (@MOCIQatar) March 28, 2020
Other business establishments have introduced efforts in support of the precautionary measures required by the government. For one, Al Meera Qatar announced that starting March 28, 2020, it will not allow children under 12 years old to enter its stores. As posted on Twitter, this decision is for the safety of their customers and the community. They further explained that there will be lesser opportunities for spreading the virus to others. The management also recommended that shoppers wear face masks and observe the 1.5 meter distance between the other shoppers. They also advised not to use cash when shopping, as well as refrain from unnecessarily touching objects in the store.
Here is the announcement:
For your safety and that of the community, shop without your kids
Al Meera will not allow children under the age of 12 to enter its branches as of Sunday 29th March 2020, pic.twitter.com/I7ljokpFOP— Al Meera (@AlMeeraQatar) March 27, 2020
Carrefour Qatar has also implemented additional measures to ensure the shoppers’ safety. This includes: providing a hand sanitizer at the entrance, checking the temperature of their shoppers, sanitizing the trolleys after use and providing disposable gloves at the entrance and fresh section. They have also provided a plexi-glass screen at the check-out counter to lessen contact with others. They also accept various forms of payments, to discourage the use of cash. Most importantly, they also remind their shoppers not to hoard items, since there is enough food and other necessities for everyone.
This is their announcement:
For your peace of mind, we’ve taken additional measures for your health and safety. Here are some tips on how to shop at Carrefour responsibly. pic.twitter.com/pHoRykMKp5
— Carrefour Qatar (@Carrefour_qa) March 26, 2020
Everyone can do their part in curbing the pandemic. By staying at home as much as possible, or maintaining distance with one another, we can prevent the virus from further spreading.
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