Masks NOT mandatory inside malls in Qatar from Saturday

No need of masks inside malls; Qatar eases Covid-19 restrictions

It is no longer required to wear masks inside the malls starting Saturday as Qatar's Cabinet has given its approval to further ease COVID-19 restrictions in the country.

However, masks are a must when entering shops inside the malls, as well as in all other closed public settings.

The Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister and Minister of Interior HE Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, eased more curbs after reviewing an assessment of Qatar's COVID-19 situation by the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH).

After reviewing a report from the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management regarding the plan to gradually lift the restrictions imposed as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the cabinet decided to ease the restrictions further including removing the mask mandate inside the malls, but it is still required inside the shops.

These decisions will come into force from Saturday, April 2, 2022, and will be in place until further notice. Here are the other decisions:

1- Entry to closed public places is allowed according to the following:

A-  All citizens, residents, and visitors who have completed doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, those recovering from the disease, and people whose health condition prevents them from taking the vaccine based on a medical report from the authorities determined by the Ministry of Public Health.

B-  All citizens, residents, and visitors who did not complete or did not receive the Covid-19 vaccine are allowed after conducting a rapid antigen test approved by the Ministry of Public Health provided that the entry does not exceed 20% of capacity. This is for the following closed public places: Physical training clubs (gyms), sports events, conferences, exhibitions, and events

The rapid test should be conducted within 24 hours prior to entering the closed places.

2 - Continuing to adhere to the requirements set by the Ministry of Public Health for holding any conference, exhibition, or event.

3- Continuing the work of all employees in the government sector at their place of work, and allowing all employees in the private sector to carry out their work at their place of work.

4- Continuing to oblige all employees and workers in the public and private sectors to conduct a rapid antigen test approved by the Ministry of Public Health, on a weekly basis, for those who did not receive or complete doses of the Covid-19 vaccine. Employees and workers who have completed doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, those who have recovered from the disease, and people whose health condition prevents them from taking the vaccine based on a medical report from the authorities determined by the Ministry of Public Health are exempted from the test.

5- Obligating all citizens, residents, and visitors to wear masks in all closed public places, except for malls, unless they are inside the shops, and not obligating them to wear masks in open public places.

All workers in facilities, whose nature of work requires being in open spaces and communicating with customers, must wear masks during their work period.

6- Continuing to oblige all citizens, residents, and visitors to activate the EHTERAZ application on smartphones when leaving the house for any reason.

7- Continuing to allow the holding of wedding parties.

The Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Public Health, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and other government agencies - each within its jurisdiction - shall take the necessary measures in this regard, to ensure compliance with health requirements, procedures, precautionary measures, and established controls.