Cabinet imposes some COVID curbs

QNA Doha The Cabinet has announced precautionary measures to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in the interest of the health and safety of all members of societ...

QNADohaThe Cabinet has announced precautionary measures to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in the interest of the health and safety of all members of society. The measures will come into effect from Saturday, January 8.The Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister and Minister of Interior HE Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, took the decision on Wednesday after reviewing the report of Minister of Public Health HE Dr Hanan Mohammed Al Kuwari on the latest developments to limit the COVID-19 spread and the report of the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management in this regard. The Cabinet affirmed the continuation of the precautionary measures that have been taken to combat the pandemic.As per the Cabinet decision, all employees in the government and the private sector will continue to carry out their work at their place of work.Meetings to be held for employees and workers in the government and private sectors at their workplace in the presence of no more than 15 people who have completed doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, provided that the rest of the meetings use modern technical means.All employees and workers in the government and private sectors that are unvaccinated or have not completed the two COVID-19 doses are required to conduct rapid antigen tests approved by the Ministry of Public Health on a weekly basis. Those who have recovered from COVID-19, as well as those who have taken at least two COVID-19 vaccines, are exempted.The Cabinet decided to continue with the decision to oblige people to wear masks in all open and closed public places, with the exception of people who practise sports in open places.All citizens, residents and visitors are required to activate the Ehteraz application on smart phones when leaving the house for any reason.Mosques will continue to perform daily duties and Friday prayers, while adhering to the precautionary measures set by the Ministry of Public Health and the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs. However, children under 12 years old are not allowed to enter. Toilets and ablution facilities will remain open.Social gatherings in homes and councils are allowed according to the following:A) The maximum presence of 10 people who have completed COVID-19 doses in closed places in homes and majlis, with the exception of family members residing in the same house.B) The maximum presence of 15 people who have completed COVID-19 doses in open spaces in homes and majlis, with the exception of family members residing in the same house.Weddings will be allowed in wedding halls in hotels and independent wedding halls only, and for people who have completed doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, according to the following:A) The presence of no more than 30 percent of the capacity of the closed wedding hall, and a maximum of 40 people.B) The presence of no more than 50 percent of the capacity of the open wedding hall, and a maximum of 80 people.The Cabinet decided to continue with the decision to allow gatherings or sitting in public parks, beaches and the Corniche with a maximum of 15 people or family members residing in the same house. Individual sports such as walking, running and cycling are allowed, as well as the use of playgrounds and sports equipment in those places. Private beaches will remain open, not exceeding 75 percent of the capacity, and toilets in the parks specified by the Ministry of Municipality.No more than four people are allowed in a vehicle, including the vehicle’s driver, with the exception of family members residing in the same house when leaving and moving in vehicles.People are allowed to be transported by buses not exceeding 60 percent of the bus capacity, while taking precautionary measures.Metro and public transport will continue to operate at a maximum 60 percent capacity throughout the week. Places designated for smoking will continue to be closed. Food and drinks are not allowed in the mentioned means of transport.Driving schools will continue to operate and provide their services with a capacity not exceeding 50 percent, provided that all trainers and trainees have completed doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.Theatres and cinemas will continue to operate at a maximum 50 percent of the capacity, provided that all have completed doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Educational centres and private training centers are allowed to provide their services with a capacity not exceeding 50 percent and a maximum of 50 people in one hall, provided that all trainers and trainees have completed the COVID-19 vaccine doses.Nurseries are allowed to operate with a capacity not exceeding 50 percent, provided that all employees who work in nurseries have completed the COVID-19 vaccine doses.Museums and public libraries are allowed to operate at full capacity, provided that all visitors to those museums and public libraries have completed the COVID-19 vaccine doses.Educational sessions are allowed to be held in centres designated for people with special needs, with no more than five people in one session, provided that all trainers who work in those centres have completed the COVID-19 vaccine doses.Professional sports training, whether in indoor or outdoor, preparatory training for local and international tournaments approved by the Ministry of Public Health, are allowed.Training for age groups of 18 years old and under for Qatari sports clubs and federations with a maximum of 40 people in outdoor spaces and 30 people in indoor spaces, for those who completed the COVID-19 vaccine doses, with no public attendance allowed, and the suspending training for children under 12 years old in private clubs.Organization of local and international sporting events can be held after obtaining the approval of the Ministry of Public Health, with attendance fans not exceeding 50 percent capacity in outdoor spaces for those who completed the COVID-19 vaccine doses and 30 percent in indoor facilities for those who completed the COVID-19 vaccine doses.Local and private sports leagues and tournaments for age groups and adults have been suspended and community sports tournaments and activities have been banned.Organisation of conferences, exhibitions and events are allowed in accordance with the following:A- A capacity not exceeding 50 percent in outdoor spaces.B- A capacity not exceeding 30 percent in indoor places.In all cases, prior approval from the Ministry of Public Health is required before holding any conference, exhibition or event, provided that all organisers and participants in such conferences, exhibitions and events have completed the COVID-19 vaccine doses.Commercial complexes can operate with a capacity not exceeding 75 percent, while allowing entry to those who have completed the COVID-19 vaccine doses, allowing the opening of common restaurant areas within the commercial complexes with a maximum capacity of 30 percent, allowing the opening of mosques, changing rooms and toilets in those complexes, with all shops in those complexes adhering to the maximum number of customers allowed in them, which is determined by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.Restaurants and cafes are allowed to serve food and beverages according to the following:A- In outdoor spaces, a maximum capacity of 75 percent for restaurants and cafes that have the “Qatar Clean” certificate and a maximum capacity of 40 percent for restaurants and cafes that meet the conditions determined by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.B- In indoor places, a maximum capacity of 50 percent for restaurants and cafes that have the “Qatar Clean” certificate, and a maximum capacity of 30 percent for restaurants and cafes that meet the conditions determined by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, provided that all customers have completed the COVID-19 vaccine doses, while allowing the entry of children under 12 years of age accompanied by their families only.In all cases, all workers in those facilities have completed the COVID-19 vaccine doses. Rental services of boats, tourist yachts and pleasure boats are allowed, provided that all workers have completed doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, and that the number of passengers on these boats and yachts does not exceed 30 percent of its capacity with a maximum of 15 people who have completed doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Owners of boats and personal yachts are obligated not to have more than 12 people on board, with the exception of family members residing in the same house.Popular markets are allowed to operate every day with a capacity not exceeding 75 percent, and not allowing children under 12 years old to enter, with all stores in those markets adhering to the maximum number of customers allowed to be there, which is determined by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.Wholesale markets can operate at a capacity not exceeding 75 percent, and allowing entry to those who have completed doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. All stores must adhere to the maximum number of customers allowed inside, which is determined by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and allowing auctions to be held in those markets.Beauty and hairdressing salons can operate at a maximum capacity of 50 percent, provided that all workers in those facilities and clients have completed doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.Amusement parks and all entertainment centers can operate according to the following:A) A capacity not exceeding 75 percent for amusement parks and recreational centers in open spaces.B) A capacity not exceeding 50 percent for amusement parks and recreational centers in closed places, and allowing entry to customers who have completed doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.In all cases, all employees of these facilities must have completed doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.Health clubs, physical training clubs, and massage services, can operate at a maximum 50 percent capacity. However, dressing rooms, showers, saunas, steam, jacuzzi services, and Moroccan and Turkish baths are closed, provided that all employees of these facilities and customers have completed doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.Swimming pools and water parks can operate according to the following:A) A capacity not exceeding 75 percent for all swimming pools and water parks in open spaces.B) A capacity not exceeding 50 percent for all indoor swimming pools and water parks, and allowing entry to customers who have completed doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.In all cases, all employees of these facilities must have completed doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.Medical services can be provided in private healthcare facilities with full capacity, provided that all workers have completed doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.Cleaning and hospitality companies can provide their services through their employees who have completed doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, whether in one or more homes, allowing the provision of cleaning and hospitality services to the facilities contracting with it during working hours with a full capacity, through its employees who have completed doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.Compliance with the health requirements, procedures, precautionary measures and controls determined by the Ministry of Public Health shall be taken into consideration.The Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Public Health, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and other government agencies, each within its jurisdiction, take the necessary measures in this regard, to ensure compliance with health requirements, precautionary measures and established controls.The Cabinet reviewed a draft decision of HE Minister of Transport to issue the executive regulations of Law No 9 of 2019 regarding the road transport of hazardous materials.It also considered a draft decision of HE Minister of Commerce and Industry regarding the registration mechanism for companies of persons and entities participating in activities related to hosting the FIFA 2022 Qatar World Cup.The Cabinet also approved a draft memorandum of understanding template for cooperation in the field of civil aviation between the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority and the civil aviation authorities in other countries.The Cabinet then reviewed the results of the work and recommendations of the Minimum Wage Committee, and took the appropriate decision.The committee recommended continuing with the estimated value of the currently applied minimum wage.The committee is responsible for studying and reviewing the minimum wage, in accordance with the following controls:The minimum wage is reviewed at least once a year, taking into account economic factors, including economic growth, competitiveness and productivity, and the needs of workers, employees and their families.