No entry without mask at commercial centres including cafes, salons and cinemas

Mall of Qatar

Masks mandatory for 6-year-old and above in closed public places including shopping centres: MoPH

The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) has called on community members to adhere to the new preventive measures to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is in implementation of today’s Cabinets decision on mandatory wearing of face masks in all closed public spaces.

The Ministry explained that following the Cabinets announcement, face masks are now mandatory for all individuals aged six years and above in closed public spaces. This includes healthcare facilities, workplace, public transport, mosques, gyms, malls, shops, and cinemas in addition to other closed public places.

With the number of new daily COVID-19 cases in Qatar rising in recent weeks, the Ministry stressed the need for people to adhere to the new measures related to the wearing of face masks. The Ministry said that face masks, when worn properly by everyone, are an effective tool to prevent virus transmission.

The Ministry called on members of the community to play their part in suppressing the current rise in COVID-19 by getting vaccinated against COVID-19 with all doses for which you are eligible, including getting the booster dose as they proved to be very safe and effective; washing your hands regularly with soap and water or using hand sanitizers; avoiding physical contact when greeting others, including abstaining from shaking hands and kissing; following cough etiquette and using your sleeve to cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing or using tissue paper and dispose of it appropriately; avoid gathering in crowded and poorly ventilated places as much as possible; downloading Ehteraz application and showing green status to enter any public closed indoor areas.

The Ministry said it is important that members of the community continue to receive all the vaccine doses for which they are eligible. More than 1.7 million people in Qatar have received a booster dose, and anyone aged 12 years and above who had their second dose more than six months ago is eligible for a booster dose. A fourth vaccine dose is also available for individuals 50 years of age and older and those with chronic diseases that increase their risk for severe COVID-19 infection, regardless of their age. The fourth dose is offered to these vulnerable individuals after four months from their booster dose (third dose) or COVID-19 infection.

The Ministry said that individuals who do not receive the booster dose, or significantly delay receiving it, will be less protected and more at risk of severe COVID-19 infection and hospitalization. With more than 6.5 million vaccine doses administered in Qatar, and 12 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines administered globally, they have proved to be highly effective in preventing severe disease and death from Covid-19 in addition to being very safe.

Masks mandatory in mosques from tomorrow: Awqaf

After the decision by Qatar cabinet making it mandatory for people to wear masks inside closed public places, Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs clarified that it is mandatory to wear a mask in mosques, starting from Thursday, July 7, 2022.

Meanwhile, Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) explained that following today’s Cabinets announcement, face masks are now mandatory for all individuals aged six years of age and above in closed public spaces. This includes healthcare facilities, workplace, public transport, mosques, gyms, malls, shops, and cinemas in addition to other closed public places.

The decision comes into effect as average daily Covid-19 cases have seen a spike in recent times.

No entry without mask at commercial centres including cafes, salons and cinemas

As per the Cabinet decision today, Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) said that it is mandatory to wear masks for customers and employees when entering commercial activity sites, and throughout their presence there. This decision goes into effect as of Thursday, July 7, 2022.

“Within the framework of the preventive measures put in place by Qatar to curb the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), in line with developments, to preserve the health and safety of citizens and residents, and as a continuation of previous decisions and procedures, it is mandatory to wear medical masks for customers and employees when entering commercial activity sites, and throughout their presence there.” MoCI said.

The said sites include: 

• Shopping malls
• Restaurants and cafes
• Popular markets (Souqs)
• Wholesale markets
• Barbershops and beauty salons
• Health clubs, gyms and spas
• Entertainment centers and amusement parks
• Theaters and cinemas
• Exhibitions, conferences and events
• General requirements

It is obligatory to verify the health status code in the Ehteraz application for customers and employees when entering commercial sites. Commitment to wearing a face mask inside the restaurant except when sitting at the table. Commitment to wearing a face mask for all employees and customers inside the gym; unless it's an outdoor activity. Commitment to preventing entry for customers and workers who do not wear face masks and obliging them to wear them throughout their stay inside the commercial site.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry stressed the need that all administrators and staff across all commercial activities adhere to health and safety measures. Any violation of this decision exposes perpetrators to legal accountability and procedures, the Ministry warned. The above decision is subject to amendment and update according to developments in this regard.

Masks mandatory inside restaurants but not at the table: Commerce ministry

People are required to wear masks inside a restaurant but can take them off when seated at a table, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry has said, as it listed 10 commercial sites where masks will become mandatory from Thursday.

The sites are: shopping malls, wholesale markets, entertainment centres and amusement parks, restaurants and cafes, barbershops and beauty salons, theatres and cinemas, popular markets, health clubs, gyms and spas, and exhibitions, conferences and events

Like in restaurants, masks are mandatory inside gyms for employees and users unless they are engaged in an outdoor activity.

The ministry said managements of these commercial sites are required to ensure the health code on COVID-19 contact tracing app Ehteraz is “green” before letting people in. They are also required to ensure that everyone is wearing the masks in places they are mandatory.