Qatar Eases More Coronavirus Restrictions as ‘Peak Passes’
DOHA (Dispatches) – Qatar is further easing its coronavirus restrictions, allowing a partial reopening of restaurants, mosques, beaches and parks.
Starting Wednesday, museums and libraries were also permitted to operate in a limited capacity and under limited working hours, the country’s Supreme Committee for Crisis Management said in a statement.
It added that the decision to launch Phase Two of the gradual reopening plan was based on infections having passed their peak and the production rate subsiding.
Under the new guidelines, 50 percent of public and private sector employees are allowed back in the workplace as needed and under strict safety conditions, but gatherings are now limited to five people - reduced from 10.
Professional athletes are also allowed to train in groups not exceeding 10 people.
Qatar has the second-highest tally of infections among the Persian Gulf states after its neighbor Saudi Arabia. It reported 982 new cases on Tuesday, taking its total to 96,088, with 113 deaths.
Qatar started lifting its lockdown restrictions in four phases last month, allowing some stores in shopping centers to reopen and for people to exercise outdoors without wearing a face mask.
The third phase, scheduled from August 1, will permit the resumption of flights from low-risk countries for priority passengers, such as returning residents.
It will also see the complete reopening of shopping centers, while health clubs, gyms, swimming pools, salons and hairdressers will be active with limited capacity.
The fourth phase will allow wedding parties and business gatherings, such as industrial exhibitions. It will also see the reopening of theatres, museums, libraries and cinemas.
On May 22, the Persian Gulf country with a population of roughly 2.8 million made it mandatory for all citizens and residents to download the EHTERAZ application on their phones when leaving their homes.
The app uses GPS and Bluetooth technology to help track COVID-19 cases, informing users if they come into contact with someone who may have tested positive for the disease.
Starting Wednesday, museums and libraries were also permitted to operate in a limited capacity and under limited working hours, the country’s Supreme Committee for Crisis Management said in a statement.
It added that the decision to launch Phase Two of the gradual reopening plan was based on infections having passed their peak and the production rate subsiding.
Under the new guidelines, 50 percent of public and private sector employees are allowed back in the workplace as needed and under strict safety conditions, but gatherings are now limited to five people - reduced from 10.
Professional athletes are also allowed to train in groups not exceeding 10 people.
Qatar has the second-highest tally of infections among the Persian Gulf states after its neighbor Saudi Arabia. It reported 982 new cases on Tuesday, taking its total to 96,088, with 113 deaths.
Qatar started lifting its lockdown restrictions in four phases last month, allowing some stores in shopping centers to reopen and for people to exercise outdoors without wearing a face mask.
The third phase, scheduled from August 1, will permit the resumption of flights from low-risk countries for priority passengers, such as returning residents.
It will also see the complete reopening of shopping centers, while health clubs, gyms, swimming pools, salons and hairdressers will be active with limited capacity.
The fourth phase will allow wedding parties and business gatherings, such as industrial exhibitions. It will also see the reopening of theatres, museums, libraries and cinemas.
On May 22, the Persian Gulf country with a population of roughly 2.8 million made it mandatory for all citizens and residents to download the EHTERAZ application on their phones when leaving their homes.
The app uses GPS and Bluetooth technology to help track COVID-19 cases, informing users if they come into contact with someone who may have tested positive for the disease.