Qatar to partially open from May 28; more freedoms for vaccinated

Qatar to partially open from May 28; more freedoms for vaccinated

The Ministry of Public Health will start rolling back COVID-19 restrictions in a phased manner from May 28, Dr Abdullatif Al Khal, the chair of the National Health Strategic Group on COVID-19 has said.

The second phase will start on June 18, the third phase will start on July 9, and the fourth phase on July 30, he added.

Dr Khal indicated that people who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 might enjoy more benefits.

"We can give more freedom and many benefits to those who have been vaccinated against Covid 19," he said.

The National COVID-19 Vaccination Programme is progressing at a fast pace and more than 1.7 million doses have been administered since the start of the programme, he said.

Qatar is among the top 10 countries in the world in terms of vaccine coverage for the size of its population. 

"It is very encouraging that we are seeing clear evidence that the vaccines are protecting people from developing symptoms of COVID and becoming ill."

He said a study undertaken in Qatar and published last week in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that for fully vaccinated people — 14 days after receiving the second dose - vaccination is 97.4 percent effective in preventing severe, critical, or fatal disease due to both the UK and South African variants. 

"These statistics are very promising and give good cause to be optimistic about a return towards normal life once we have vaccinated around 80-90% of the eligible population in Qatar," he said.

 Although new COVID-19 cases are on the decline in Qatar, the presence of new strains of the virus in the country means urgency to roll back the restrictions and laxity in adhering to them would lead a spike in infections, he warned.

"The precautionary measures, vaccination and cooperation of community members have contributed to the continuous decrease in the number of daily new infections with Covid 19," he said.

However, despite the decrease in new cases now, there is concern about a new increase after Eid Al-Fitr, he said.

"With the continued presence of new strains in Qatar, the danger still exists, and therefore we must maintain the precautionary measures.

"We extend our thanks to members of society for the serious and effective response and for bearing their individual responsibility to combat coronavirus in the society."

Dr Khal said Qatar's quarantine policy for returnees is one of the strictest in the world.

The decisions are as follows: 

- To allow sitting outdoor and dining in restaurants with a capacity of 30 %. Sitting indoor and dining with a capacity of 30% permitted for "Clean Qatar" restaurants, only for vaccinated customers.

- Opening theaters and cinemas with a capacity of 30% for above 16-year-olds, who received two doses of vaccines.

- Vaccinated employees from cleaning companies can work in more than one home, and services can be provided at home by more than one vaccinated employee in the workplace - allow vaccinated employees to provide services upto 30% during working hours.

- Health and Fitness Clubs and Spa: 30% capacity is allowed for vaccinated customers only - all employees must be vaccinated.

- Barbershops and beauty salons: 30% capacity allowed for vaccinated customers only - all employees vaccinated.

- Outdoor swimming pools - 30% of the capacity, indoor swimming pools - 20% for vaccinated.

- Play areas and entertainment zones: Open spaces with 30% of the capacity, 20% for indoor spaces for vaccinated.

- Parks, Corniche and Beaches: Allowing small groups of up to 5 people or members of the same family to open beaches with a capacity of up to 30%.

- Team Sports Training: Allowing preparatory training for local and international tournaments approved by the Ministry of Public Health.

- Allow outdoor and indoor professional training for amateur training. 10 vaccinated people for open area and closed area only five people allowed.

- Local and international sporting events. Holding certain sporting events and allowing 30% of the spectators, who are vaccinated, and not to allow fans in closed spaces.

- Workplaces: 50% of the capacity and allow basic business meetings with a maximum of 15 vaccinated people.

- Postponement of events, conferences and exhibitions

- 30% allowance for libraries and museums

- Shopping centers: Continuation of work at capacity 30%. Close all food court, with the exception of pick-up and delivery services. Children under 12 years old are not allowed.

- Traditional markets: Allow 30% capacity, resume work on Friday and Saturday and children under 12 years old are not allowed.

- Wholesale markets: 30% of the capacity, children under 12 years old are not allowed.

- Schools: Blended Learning with a capacity of 30%

- Educational centers for special needs: Only 5:1 educational sessions allowed (the trainers need to be vaccinated)

- Training and education centers: allowing a capacity of 30% (trainers need to be vaccinated)

- Nursery and childcare: 30% of capacity (vaccinated employees)

- Public transport: 30% of the capacity in all public transport, work resume on Friday and Saturday. Close smoking areas.

- Driving schools: Open with capacity of 30%, staff must be vaccinated and only allow vaccinated employees to give lessons.

- Social gatherings: Indoor - 5 vaccinated people maximum

- Outdoor: 10 vaccinated people or maximum of 5 mixed people

- Mosques: Children under 12 not allowed. Toilets still closed.

- No permission yet to hold weddings.

- Suspension of rental services for boats, tourist yachts and pleasure boats, with the exception of rental services for family members residing in the same house.

- A maximum of 10 people are allowed to use personal boats only (4 unvaccinated among them are allowed). All boat workers must be vaccinated

Dip in daily Covid-19 cases; need to be cautious as not out of second wave yet: Dr Al Khal

Qatar has seen consistent reduction in the  daily infections, 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, Chair of the National Health Strategic Group on COVID-19 and Head of Infectious Diseases at Hamad Medical Corporation Dr Abdullatif Al Khal said at the press conference this evening.

Dr Abdullatif key messages 

- In recent weeks the combined impact of COVID-19 restrictions and 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

- 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.

- With the number of community cases declining, infections from returning travelers now make up a larger proportion of the total daily cases

- Our data shows that around 2-6% of returning travelers test positive.

- This rate of infection is not abnormally high and is consistent with rates that we would expect to see in people returning from multiple countries

- Our quarantine policy for anyone entering Qatar has been one of the strictest of its kind in the world and proved to be effective in detecting those infected and quickly isolating them and at delaying the introduction of new variants into Qatar.

- The National COVID-19 Vaccination Program is progressing at a fast pace and more than 1.7 million doses have been administered since the start of the program

- Qatar is among the top 10 countries in the world in terms of vaccine coverage for the size of its population 

- It is very encouraging that we are seeing clear evidence that the vaccines are protecting people from developing symptoms of COVID and becoming ill. 

- A study undertaken here in Qatar and published last week in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that for fully vaccinated people – 14 days after receiving the second dose - vaccination is 97.4 percent effective in preventing severe, critical, or fatal disease due to both the UK and South African variants. 

- These statistics are very promising and give good cause to be optimistic about a return towards normal life once we have vaccinated around 80-90% of the eligible population in Qatar. 

- The plan to gradually lift restrictions will be delivered over 4 phases with each phase lasting 3 weeks.

- 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

- With the potential spike post Eid a distinct possibility, the first phase of the lifting of restrictions is planned to start on 28 May – this will allow sufficient time to analyze the data and determine the impact of Eid

- Unlike last year, we will be able to make more freedoms available to those people who are vaccinated where they will enjoy certain privileges before others 

- For the past 15 months we have lived under the threat of COVID-19 – this virus has negatively impacted the lives of each and every one of us in some way, either directly or indirectly 

- It is important to acknowledge how much we have achieved and how much we have sacrificed to get this virus under control

- So, while I understand that many people may be eager to begin the lifting of restrictions as soon as possible, I ask you to please be patient.

- It is vital that we do not claim victory against this virus too early – with the new, highly-transmissible variants in the community, there is still the potential for the virus to gain momentum and for numbers to rise.

Vaccinated people can enjoy more freedom: Dr Al Khal

Fully vaccinated people will be given more freedom and benefits, a senior health official has said.

“Unlike last year, we will be able to make more freedoms available to those people who are vaccinated where they will enjoy certain privileges before others,” Dr Abdullatif al Khal, Chair of the National Strategic Group on COVID-19, said during a press conference on Sunday.

“For the past 15 months we have lived under the threat of COVID-1 9 — this virus has negatively impacted the lives of each and every one of us in some way, either directly or indirectly,” he said.

Dr Al Khal added that it is important to acknowledge how much “we have achieved and how much we have sacrificed to get this virus under control. So, while I understand that many people may be eager to begin the lifting of restrictions as soon as possible, I ask you to please be patient.”

“It is vital that we do not claim victory against this virus too early — with the new, highly-transmissible variants in the community, there is still the potential for the virus to gain momentum and for numbers to rise,” he added.

Qatar so far safe from Indian variant of COVID-19: Dr Khal

The presence of the Indian variant of the novel coronavirus has not been detected so far in Qatar, Dr Abdullatif Al Khal, the chair of the National Health Strategic Group on COVID-19, has said.

However, efforts are going on to find out if the variant has slipped into the community by isolating strains of the virus from people coming from Southeast Asia, he said.

The Indian variant of the virus has prompted Qatar to impose compulsory hotel quarantine on all arrivals from six high risk countries — India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the Philippines – regardless of whether they are travelling through direct flights or in transit, and even if they have already been vaccinated.

"I urge people to take the vaccination against the coronavirus, as it is effectively safe, and even pregnant women can receive the vaccine," Dr Khal said.