In this new version of our regular law updates, we are trying to keep a close eye on the recent precautionary measures taken by the authorities in the State of Qatar to contain the spread of COVID-19

During today’s meeting of the Council of Ministers, a set of important decisions were issued to fight the COVID-19 and to stop the spread of the viral disease. The decisions include;

A. Workplace Measures

1. Reducing the number of employees present at the workplace in government agencies to 50% of the total number of employees in each entity, while the rest of the employees conduct their work remotely from their homes or upon request, according to the circumstances, with the exception of the military, security and health sectors.

2. Reducing the number of employees present at the workplace in the private sector to 50% percent of the total number of employees in each agency, while the rest of the employees conduct their work remotely from their homes, and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in coordination with the concerned authorities, determines the necessary activities that are excluded from this decision.

3. All meetings that are held for employees and workers in the government and private sectors present at their place of work shall be held remotely using modern technical means, and in case this is not possible, and in cases of necessity, the meeting shall be held with a number of not more than 5 persons, taking into account the precautionary measures.

B. Transportation measures

1. Continue working with the decision requiring all citizens and residents to wear masks when leaving the house for any reason, unless the person is by himself while driving the vehicle.

2. Continuing working of the decision requiring all citizens and residents to ensure that no more than four people are in the same vehicle, including the vehicle’s driver, with the exception of family members residing in the same house.

3. Reducing the capacity of operating metro services by no more than 20% and closer of operations on Fridays and Saturdays.

4. Reducing the capacity for operating public transport services by no more than 20%, and closer of operations of those services in some lines and Fridays and Saturdays.

5. Driving schools continue to be closed.

6. Continuing work with the decision reducing the number of people transported by buses to half of the bus capacity, while taking precautions measures.

C. Exercising of Sports 

1. Preventing gatherings or sitting in public parks, beaches and the corniche, and permitting individual sports such as walking, running and cycling, while continuing to close playgrounds and sports equipment in those places.

2. Continuing not to allow the training of sports teams, whether indoors or outdoors, with the exception of preparatory training for local and international tournaments approved by the Ministry of Public Health.

3. Obtaining prior approval from the Ministry of Public Health to organize local and international sporting events.

D. Shutting down commercial activities

1. Closing beauty and hair salons.

2. Amusement parks and all entertainment centers continue to be closed.

3. Postponing all conferences, exhibitions and events.

4. The continued closure of health clubs and physical training clubs, the suspension of massage services, saunas, steam rooms, Jacuzzi services, and Moroccan and Turkish bathsThe continued closure of health clubs and physical training clubs, the suspension of massage services, saunas, steam rooms, Jacuzzi services, and Moroccan and Turkish baths.

5. The continued closure of all swimming pools and water parks.

6. Suspension of dine in food and drinks services for restaurants and cafes in open or closed places and allowing only the offering of foods and drinks through take-out and delivery only.

7. Continuing with decision to reduce capacity at malls to 30% and not allowing children under the age of 16 years to enter. Closer all prayer rooms and changing rooms in malls with the continued closure of all food courts inside malls and allowing these restaurants to serve delivery and take out only.

8. The continued suspension of the rental services of boats, tourist yachts and pleasure boats, with the exception of rental services for family members residing in the same house, and owners of boats and personal yachts are obligated, in the event that they are used, that other than the family members residing in the same house are not present on board or the presence of 5 people with a maximum of 5 from non-family members, provided that they have completed the doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.

9. Reducing the capacity of traditional souqs markets to not exceeding 30% and closers on Friday and Saturday of every week and without allowing entry of children under the age of 16.

10. The continued operation of wholesale markets with a capacity not exceeding 30%, and not allowing children under the age of 16 years to enter.

11. The continued suspension of holding weddings in closed or open spaces until further notice.

12. Continuing to stop providing medical services in private health facilities, except in emergency cases, and allowing any of these facilities to provide some of their medical services that can be provided through modern means of communication.

13. Cleaning and hospitality companies are not allowed to provide their services during working hours to the companies contracting with them and instead to allow their services to be provided with a full capacity outside the working hours of those establishments, and to allow the provision of their services at home by one person only while adhering to the special requirements set by the Ministry of Public Health in coordination with the Ministry trade and Industry.

14. Closing theaters and cinemas.

15. Allowing private educational and training centers to provide their services through remote communication programs only.

16. Closing nurseries.

17. Closing public museums and libraries.

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