Mosques to Open, Return of Weddings: Qatar Announced Phase 2 lifting of Covid-19 restrictions

Mosques to Open, Return of Weddings: Qatar Announced Phase 2 lifting of Covid-19 restrictions

HE Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al-Thani chaired the Cabinet's regular meeting held at its seat at the Amiri Diwan on Wednesday.

Following the meeting, HE Minister of Justice and Acting Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Dr. Issa bin Saad Al Jafali Al Nuaimi issued the following statement:

At the outset of the meeting, the cabinet was briefed by HE Minister of Public Health on the latest developments in efforts to curb COVID-19. After examining the report of Supreme Committee for Crisis Management, and to ensure the safety of all members of the society, the cabinet decided the following:

1- Allowing, according to the need of work, a maximum of 80 percent of the total number of employees in the government sector in each business entity to work from the office, with the rest working remotely or upon request depending on the circumstances. The exception are to the military, security and health sectors.

2- Allowing, according to the need of work, a maximum of 80 percent of the total number of employees in the private sector in each business entity are allowed to work from the office, with the rest working remotely or upon request depending on the circumstances. The exception are to the military, security and health sectors.

3- Continuing to allow meetings for employees and workers in the government and private sectors present at their workplace with the attendance of no more than 15 people, who must have completed both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Others who didn't can only attend the meeting remotely using modern technological means.

4- All employees in the public and private sector must carry out a rapid antigen test that is accredited by the Ministry of Public Health on a weekly basis. This applies to employees who did not receive or continue all the doses of their COVID-19 vaccines. Those who did take both doses, recovered from the disease, or those whose health condition does not allow based on a medical report accredited by MoPH, are exempt from taking the rapid antigen test.

5- All citizens and residents must continue to wear masks when leaving the house for any reason, unless the person is present by himself while driving the vehicle or with his family.

6- All citizens and residents must continue to activate their EHTERAZ app on their smartphones when leaving the house for any reason.

7- Mosques shall continue opening for daily and Friday prayers, but children under seven are not allowed in. Toilets and ablution facilities must remain closed. The Ministry of Public Health and the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs will determine the other precautionary measures.

8- Allowing a maximum of 10 people who have completed doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to be in closed places in homes, or a maximum of five people if one of them did not complete both vaccine doses. A maximum of 20 people who have completed both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, or 10 people who have not completed or did not receive doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in outdoor areas of homes.

9- Allowing weddings at independent wedding halls and wedding halls in hotels with a maximum capacity of 40 people, provided at least 75 percent of the attendance have completed both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

10- Allowing gatherings or sitting in public parks, beaches, and the corniche for a maximum of 10 people or family members residing in the same house, and individual sports such as walking, running and cycling are allowed, while continuing to close playgrounds and sports equipment in those places, and allowing the opening of private beaches not exceeding 40 percent of its capacity.

11- No car is allowed to have more than four passengers including the driver, with the exception of family members residing in the same house when leaving and moving in vehicles.

12- Buses must continue to operate at half their capacity, while taking the precautionary measures.

13- Permitting the operation of metro services and public transport services at a maximum capacity of 30 percent throughout the week, while closing the smoking areas and banning eating and drinking inside these services.

14- Driving schools shall continue to operate at a maximum capacity of 30 percent. All workers in the schools must have completed their COVID-19 vaccination.

15- Cinemas and theaters can operate at a maximum capacity of 30 percent, provided at least 75 percent of the attendance have taken the two doses of the COVID-19 vaccines. Children under 12 are not allowed in. 

16- Continuation of educational centers and private training centers to provide their services at a maximum capacity of 30 percent, provided that all the instructors working at in these centers have taken both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

17- Nurseries to remain open and providing their services at a maximum capacity of 30 percent, provided all workers take both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

18- museums and public libraries to continue operating at a maximum capacity of 50 percent.

19- Centers for people with special needs to continue and that their educational capacity for a maximum of five people a session, provided all workers take both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

20- Continuation of professional sports training both indoors and outdoors, permitting preparatory training for local and international tournaments approved by the Ministry of Public Health without, and allowing the training of amateurs with a maximum of 20 people in open spaces who have completed both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, and a maximum of 10 people indoors, provided they also take the two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, with no public attendance.

21- Approving the hosting of local and international sporting events after obtaining the approval of the Ministry of Public Health, with the presence fans not surpassing the 30 percent capacity of the open-space venue, provided that among that 75 percent of the public completed both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, and allowing the presence of no more than 20 percent of the capacity of the public in closed places, provided that they have completed doses of the (COVID-19) vaccine.

22- Approving the organization of conferences, exhibitions and events with a capacity not exceeding 30 percent, after obtaining the approval of the Ministry of Public Health.

23- Malls can operate at a maximum capacity of 50 percent, with children under 12 allowed in. Allowing the opening of food courts not exceeding 30 percent and prayer areas. Changing rooms remain closed.

24- Approving restaurants and cafes to provide food and beverage on the following conditions:

A- A capacity card that does not exceed 50 percent for restaurants and cafes that have the Clean Qatar certificate, and a capacity card that does not exceed 30 percent for restaurants and cafes that meet the conditions determined by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in open spaces.

B- A capacity card that does not exceed 30 percent for restaurants and cafes that have a Clean Qatar certificate, and a capacity card that does not exceed 15 percent for restaurants and cafes that meet the conditions determined by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, provided that all customers who have completed doses of the COVID-19 vaccine must be indoors.

25- Approving the rent of boats and tourist yachts, provided that all workers in those boats and yachts have completed doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, and that the number of passengers on those boats and yachts does not exceed 50 percent of its capacity and a maximum of 15 who have completed doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, while allowing the presence of 3 within the mentioned percentage of those who did not complete or did not receive doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, and owners of personal boats and yachts, if used, are obligated to the percentage, number and controls referred to.

26- The continuation of the work of the popular markets throughout the week, with a capacity not exceeding 50 percent. Children under 12 are allowed in.

27- Continuing the work of wholesale markets with a capacity not exceeding 50 percent. Children under 12 are allowed in.

28- Beauty Salons and barbershops can operate at a maximum capacity of 30 percent, provided that all workers in these facilities and clients have completed taking both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

29- Allowing amusement parks and all entertainment centers to be opened according to the following conditions:

A- At a maximum capacity of 30 percent for open air amusement parks and entertainment centers.

B- At a maximum capacity of 20 percent for indoor amusement parks and entertainment centers, provided that 75 percent of the customers who have completed doses of the (Covid-19) vaccine are among that percentage.

30- Continuing to allow health clubs, gyms, massage services, sauna and steam rooms, jacuzzi services, and Moroccan and Turkish baths at a maximum capacity of 40 percent, provided that all workers in these facilities and customers have completed both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

31- Continuing to allow the opening of swimming pools and water parks according to the following:

A- A maximum capacity of 40 percent for outdoor pools and waterparks.

B- A maximum capacity of 20 percent for indoor pools and waterparks, only customers who have completed doses of the COVID-19 vaccine are allowed to enter.

32- Continuing to allow medical services to be provided in private health care facilities, not exceeding 80 percent of the capacity of these facilities.

33- Continuing to allow cleaning and hospitality companies to provide their services through their employees who have completed doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, whether in one or more homes, and allowing cleaning and hospitality services to be provided to the facilities contracting with them during working hours with a capacity not exceeding 50 percent, also through workers who are fully vaccinated. 

Second: The health requirements, procedures, precautionary measures and controls determined by the Ministry of Public Health shall be taken into consideration.

Third: Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Public Health, Ministry of Commerce and Industry and other government agencies - each within their jurisdiction - take the necessary measures in this regard, to ensure compliance with the health requirements and the precautionary measures.

Fourth: These decisions will be effective from Friday June 18, 2021, until further notice.

The Cabinet noted the continuation of the blended education system in all public and private schools and kindergartens, and the travel and return policy in the State of Qatar.

Then, the Cabinet considered the topics on the agenda as follows:

First, the Approval a draft law on the Shura Council, and referring it to the Shura Council.

The draft law included provisions relating to the following:

The emphasis on the independence of the financial and administrative council as the constitutional institution that undertakes legislation and oversight of the executive authority.

Organizing the legal status of a member of the Shura Council, whether in terms of the rights assigned to him, or the duties and prohibitions.

With regard to the rights, the draft law organizes and guarantees the rights of council's members to express an opinion, immunity in criminal proceedings, and job retention rules for members working in government agencies, as well as exempting them from some job situations, and ensuring their return to their job after membership ends.

The law also regulates the remuneration of the president, vice president and the members, this remuneration is estimated in proportion to the duties of the membership and the requirements of full-time commitment to it, in light of the duties and prohibitions imposed, and in proportion to the tasks of each of the president, vice president and members.

As for the duties and prohibitions, which the constitution requires to be regulated by law, the draft law clarify them as follows:

- The obligation to disclose cases of conflict of interest, property and sources of income and to report gifts.

- The member's transactions and actions should be at a fair price, without including in the estimate of this price the status of member.

- Establishing controls regarding the member's access to credit facilities.

- Prohibition of the member's dealings with government agencies except in accordance with the principles of transparency, equal opportunities and freedom of competition.

- The draft law also prohibited the Shura Council Speaker and his deputy from engaging in any commercial activity or non-commercial profession.

-Likewise, a member of the Council is prohibited from any professional, commercial or other work or activity, in a manner that contradicts the duties and requirements of membership.

Reflecting the status of the elected council and its independence, the draft law guarantees the council the independent competence to draw up and approve its budget, and for its employees to have a special regulation for human resources.

One of the main provisions included in the new draft law is to ensure that the current internal regulations of the Shura Council continue to operate in a manner that does not conflict with the conditions of the elected council, so that the elected council assumes its competencies and powers, immediately after its election and without delay, until it sets its new internal regulations.

Second - Take the necessary measures to issue a draft law on the arrangements for hosting the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, after the Cabinet reviewed the recommendation of the Shura Council on the draft law.

Third - Approval of the following two draft laws and their referral to the Shura Council:

1-A draft law amending some provisions of the Qatar Financial Center Law issued by Law No. 7 of 2005.

2- A draft law amending some provisions of Law No. 34 of 2005 regarding free zones.

Fourth - Approval of a draft decision of the Minister of Public Health to amend some tables attached to each of Law No. 9 of 1987 on Controlling Drugs and Regulating their Trade and Use, and Law No. 19 of 1993 regarding regulating the circulation of psychoactive substances.

Fifth - Approval of a draft decision of the Minister of Commerce and Industry to form a disciplinary board for auditors.

The preparation of the draft decision comes within the framework of activating the provisions of Law No. 8 of 2020 regulating the auditing profession.

Sixth - Approval of a draft protocol between the Government of the State of Qatar and the Government of Ukraine (the Cabinet) to amend the agreement between the Government of the State of Qatar and the Government of Ukraine (the Cabinet) regarding the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of financial evasion with respect to taxes on income.

Seventh - The Cabinet reviewed the following two issues and took the appropriate decision:

1- The semi-annual report of the committee for regulating non-Qatari ownership and use of real estate on its work during the period from 6/10/2020 to 4/6/2021.

This committee established in the Ministry of Justice has a number of specializations, including: proposing areas in which non-Qataris are allowed to own and use real estate, and proposing terms and conditions for non-Qatari ownership and use of real estate.

2- The first annual report on the results of the work of the Committee for Women, Children, Elderly and Persons with Disabilities Affairs during the year 2020.