As part of its continuous monitoring of the COVID-19 situation in the country, the Cabinet has decided to continue with the precautionary measures and restrictions, including the weekly tests for government or private-sector employees not fully vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19 infection.
Qatar’s strategy against the pandemic has so far been very effective, with the country registering one of the lowest COVID-19 mortality rate, and also achieving one of the highest vaccination rates in the world. The country has recorded 601 deaths from around 227,000 cases detected in the country so far. The Ministry of Public Health has tested more than 2.35 million people for the coronavirus infection since the outbreak of the pandemic.
Qatar’s COVID-19 vaccination campaign has also been a huge success with 87.1 percent of the eligible population having received at least the first dose, while 93.7 percent of over-60 population fully vaccinated. More than 3.8 million vaccines doses have been administered in the country so far.
After successful implementation of COVID-19 containment policies, the authorities have gradually allowed reopening of most sectors. The government has also relaxed quarantine rules for incoming travellers vaccinated against the COVID-19 infection.
However, despite these successes, the nature of the pandemic and new variants spreading in many countries warrant constant monitoring and actions accordingly. It is in this spirit that the Cabinet has announced a slew of measures to protect public health.
The measures include capping attendance at public and private workplaces at 80 percent of total workforce. Unvaccinated employees will have to undergo a rapid antigen test every week. Beaches, parks and playgrounds remain open with limited capacity. Public transport will operate at 50 percent capacity. Malls will open with 50 percent capacity while food courts will operate at 30 percent capacity. Similarly, dine-in at most restaurants will be allowed at 30 percent capacity and for vaccinated customers only.
MoPH said 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, it is still important to be cautious as the second wave is not yet over and there are still two highly contagious and highly virulent strains of the virus that are actively circulating in the community.
The health officials have called on the public and businesses to get their employees vaccinated against the virus as soon as possible. With new variants emerging, it remains crucial that people keep following all the precautionary measures announced by the authorities.
