Cabinet relaxes mask mandate

The Cabinet has further eased COVID-19 restrictions with masks not being mandatory at some outdoor settings from February 12.
The Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister and Minister of Interior HE Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, on Wednesday took the decision after reviewing the report of the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management regarding the plan to gradually lift the COVID-19 restrictions.
It will be mandatory for all citizens, residents and visitors to wear masks in closed public places, but they will not be required to wear them in open public places except in certain cases.
The decisions will come into effect from Saturday, February 12, 2022, until further notice.
As per the decision, all employees in the government and private sectors are required to carry out their work at their place of work.
Meetings will be continued to be held for employees and workers in the government and private sectors who are present at their workplace in the presence of no more than 30 persons, who have completed the COVID-19 vaccine doses while the rest of the meetings will be held via videoconferencing.
All employees and workers in the public and private sectors are required to conduct a COVID-19 rapid test (Rapid Antigen) approved by the Ministry of Public Health, every week, for employees and workers who did not receive or complete the COVID-19 vaccine doses. Employees and workers who have completed the COVID-19 vaccine doses and those who have recovered from the disease are exempted from conducting this test.
All citizens, residents and visitors are required to wear masks in all indoor places. However, they are not obligated to wear masks in outdoor places except in the following cases:
 Presence within the public activities organised in the markets, exhibitions and during events.
 Presence in the premises of mosques, schools, universities and hospitals.
 All workers in establishments, whose nature of work requires being in open spaces and communicating with customers, must wear masks during their work period.
All citizens, residents and visitors must activate the Ehteraz application on smartphones when leaving the house for any reason.
Mosques will continue to remain open for daily duties and Friday prayers, with entry allowed for children, while adhering to the precautionary measures determined by the Ministry of Public Health and the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic
Affairs.
Opening of toilets and ablution facilities in mosques will be open as determined by the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs.
Social gatherings in homes and majlises will be allowed according to the following:
A— The presence of a maximum of 30 people who have completed the COVID-19 vaccine doses or a maximum of 5 people who did not complete or receive the COVID-19 vaccine in closed places in homes and majlises, with the exception of family members residing in the same house.
B — The presence of a maximum of 50 people who have completed the COVID-19 vaccine doses or a maximum of 5 people that did not complete or receive the COVID-19 vaccine in open spaces in homes and majlises, with the exception of family members residing in the same house.
Wedding parties will be allowed to be held in wedding halls in hotels and independent wedding halls only, according to the following:
A — The presence of not more than 30 percent of the capacity of the closed wedding hall, with a maximum of 150 people and that the number of people who did not complete or receive the COVID-19 vaccine should not exceed 20 people within the mentioned percentage.
B — The presence of not more than 50 percent of the capacity of the open wedding hall, with a maximum of 300 people and that the number of people who did not complete or receive the COVID-19 vaccine should not exceed 50 people within the mentioned percentage.
Gatherings or sitting in public parks, beaches and the Corniche will be allowed with a maximum of 30 people or family members residing in the same house.
Individual sports such as walking, running and cycling will be allowed. Opening of playgrounds and sports equipment in those places are allowed to open.
It will be allowed to open of private beaches with a full capacity. The opening of toilets in the parks is allowed as specified by the Ministry of Municipality.
A maximum of four people are allowed to travel in a vehicle, including the driver, when leaving and moving for any reason, with the exception of family members residing in the same house.
People to be transported by buses should not to exceed 75 percent of the bus’s capacity, while taking precautionary measures.
Metro services and public transport services will continue to operate at a maximum capacity of 75 percent throughout the week, with the continued closure of places designated for smoking. Food and drinks are not allowed in the mentioned means of transport.
Driving schools will continues to operate according to the following:
A- At full capacity if 75 percent or more of the total number of trainees have completed doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
B- At a capacity not exceeding 75 percent if the total percentage of trainees who have completed doses of the COVID-19 vaccine is less than 75 percent.
In all cases, all employees must have completed doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, with the obligation of all trainees who have not completed or did not receive doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to undergo a rapid antigen test certified by the Ministry of Public Health.
Theatres and cinemas will continue to operate at a maximum 50 percent capacity, provided that among that 75 percent of customers have completed doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Children under the age of 12 will be allowed to enter and they will be counted among the percentage of 25 percent allowed for those who did not complete or did not receive doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Educational centres and private training centres can continue to provide their services at a maximum 75 percent capacity and with full capacity if 75 percent of the trainees have completed doses of COVID-19 vaccine, with all the instructors working at these centres have completed the COVID-19 vaccine doses, while obligating trainees who did not receive or complete the doses of the COVID-19 vaccines to carry out a rapid antigen test accredited by the Ministry of Public Health.
Nurseries will continue to remain open and provide their services at a maximum 75 percent capacity, provided that all workers have completed the COVID-19 vaccine doses.
Museums and public libraries will continue to operate at full capacity, while allowing entry to everyone, whether those who have completed the COVID-19 vaccine doses or not, and allowing entry to children.
Centres for people with disabilities will continue to provide their services with a maximum of five people per session, provided that all workers have completed the COVID-19 vaccine doses.
Professional sports training both indoors and outdoors will continue to be allowed, Preparatory training for local and international tournaments approved by the MoPH amd amateur training will be allowed according to the following:
A- Allowing training of age groups (18 and under) with a maximum capacity of 40 persons outdoors and 30 persons indoors, provided that all have completed the doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, while obligating all trainees who did not complete or did not receive the COVID-19 vaccine doses to take a rapid antigen test approved by the Ministry of Public Health.
Public will be allowed to attend with a capacity not exceeding 30 percent indoors and 50 percent outdoors.
B- Training children in private clubs with a maximum of 35 persons in open spaces who are vaccinated, and a maximum of 25 persons vaccinated people in closed spaces, with obligating the trainees who did not receive doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to take the Rapid Antigen test approved by the Ministry of Public Health, with no public attendance allowed.
Hosting of local and international sporting events will be allowed after obtaining the approval of the MoPH, with the presence of fans not surpassing the 75 percent capacity in outdoor venues, provided that they all completed the doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
A maximum 50 percent capacity of the fans will be allowed in closed places, provided that they have completed the doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
The establishment of local and special sports leagues and tournaments for age groups, and community sports tournaments and activities will be allowed after obtaining the approval of the Ministry of Public Health.
The organisation of conferences, exhibitions, and events will be permitted in accordance with the following:
A- At a capacity not exceeding 75 percent in open spaces, provided that 90 percent of the participants who have completed the doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and with the obligation of those who did not complete or did not receive doses of COVID-19 vaccine to take a rapid antigen test approved by the Ministry of Public Health or the PCR test.
B- At a capacity not exceeding 50 percent in closed places, provided that among that percentage, 90 percent of the participants who have completed doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, with obligating those who did not complete or did not receive doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to take a rapid antigen test approved by the Ministry of Public Health or the PCR test.
In all cases, approval from the Ministry of Public Health is required before holding any conference, exhibition or event, and that all organisers and participants in such conferences, exhibitions and events have completed doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Commercial complexes will continue to operate at full capacity, with entry allowed for everyone, whether those who have completed doses of the COVID-19 vaccine or not, and children.
Opening of common restaurant areas within the commercial complexes are allowed to operate at a maximum 50 percent capacity. 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 full capacity for restaurants and cafes that have the Qatar Clean certificate and a maximum capacity of 50 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 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, provided that all customers have completed the COVID-19 vaccine doses, and allow entry to children under 12 years of age accompanied by their families only.
In all cases, all workers in those facilities must have completed doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Opening of 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 50 percent of its capacity with a maximum of 40 people who have completed COVID-19 vaccine doses. Among them presence of 5 persons who have not completed or did not receive doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, including children, is allowed.
Owners of boats and personal yachts are obligated to comply with the aforementioned number, percentage and regulation.
Popular markets are allowed to operate every day with full capacity, allowing children 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 will continue to operate at a capacity not exceeding 75 percent, and allowing to everyone, whether those who have completed doses of the COVID-19 vaccine or not, allowing children to enter.
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.
The beauty and hairdressing salons will continue to operate at a capacity not exceeding 50 percent, provided that all workers in those facilities and clients have completed doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, and allowing the entry of children, taking into account that there are no more than two children under 12 years at the same time in those salons.
Amusement parks and all entertainment centres will continue to operate according to the following:
A- At a capacity not exceeding 75 percent in open spaces.
B – At a capacity not exceeding 50 percent in closed places, provided that 75 percent of the customers have completed doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, and allowing entry of children under 12 years, and counting them within the percentage of 25 percent allowed for those who did not complete or did not receive 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 will continue to operate at maximum 75 percent capacity. Opening of the changing rooms, showers, jacuzzi services, saunas, steam rooms, Moroccan and Turkish baths is allowed, provided that all employees of these facilities and customers have completed doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Swimming pools and water parks will remain open according to the following:
A- At a capacity not exceeding 75 percent in open spaces.
B – At a capacity not exceeding 50 percent in closed places, provided that 75 percent of the customers who have completed doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, and allowing entry to children under 12 years, and counting them within the percentage of 25 percent allowed for those who did not complete or did not receive doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
In all cases, all employees of these facilities must have completed doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Private healthcare facilities are allowed to provide medical services at full capacity, provided all workers have completed COVID-19 vaccine doses.
Cleaning and hospitality companies can provide their services through their employees who have completed COVID-19 vaccine doses, whether in one or more homes. They are allowed to provide 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, will take the necessary measures to ensure compliance with health requirements, precautionary measures and established controls.
At the outset of the meeting, the Cabinet welcomed the results of the official talks session held by His Highness the Amir of State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani with President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping on Saturday, during HH the Amir’s visit to Beijing to attend the opening of the 24th Winter Olympics.
The Cabinet affirmed that the discussions of the Qatari-Chinese summit, which reviewed the close bilateral relations and discussed the latest developments in the region and the world, reflected the depth and strength of the two countries relations and the common desire to support and develop them in various fields and strengthen the strategic partnership between them for the benefit of the two friendly countries and peoples.
The Cabinet then approved a draft Cabinet decision setting fees for lawsuits, requests and guarantees for the Investment and Trade Court.
The preparation of this draft decision comes within the framework of implementing the provisions of the law establishing the Investment and Commerce Court promulgated by Law No. 21 of 2021. The draft decision included determining the fees for lawsuits, requests and guarantees for the Investment and Commerce Court.
The Cabinet also approved a draft Cabinet decision amending some provisions of Resolution No 73 of 2014 establishing the permanent committee to monitor fuel filling and storage stations.
The Cabinet took necessary measures to ratify an agreement on cultural cooperation between the government of Qatar and the government of the Republic of Senegal.
It also ratified a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of sports between the government of Qatar and the government of the Republic of Senegal.
The Cabinet reviewed the report of the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking on the results of its work for the years 2020 and 2021 and took the appropriate decision.
This committee, established at the Ministry of Labor, aims to play the role of the national coordinator for monitoring, preventing and combating human trafficking through coordination with the concerned authorities in this regard, to this end, it may carry out a number of actions, including setting the national plan to combat human trafficking and preparing the programs and mechanisms in coordination with the concerned authorities in the country.