Qatar changes COVID-19 travel policy for some exceptional red list countries

By A Robin - November 30, 2021

Qatar Travel Policy

Ministry of Public Health has a new quarantine and travel policy for some of the recently added exceptional red list countries.

The new policy is for those coming from some Exceptional Red List countries which include Botswana, Egypt, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

The new and updated policy includes seven days home or hotel quarantine for citizens, seven days hotel quarantine for GCC citizens and two days hotel and five days home quarantine for residents. Meanwhile the visitors from these countries will be subject to hotel quarantine upon arrival. The changes come into effect on Wednesday, 1 December 2021, at 6pm.

Group A: Citizens, GCC citizens, and residents of Qatar

I. Citizens

Quarantine policy:

1. Fully vaccinated and Unvaccinated travelers:??
These travelers will be subject to a home quarantine for 7 days upon arrival in the country, with the option to choose to undergo hotel quarantine if desired.

Before arrival:
Conduct a negative PCR test within 72 hours before arrival in Qatar.

After arrival:
In the case of home quarantine (all age groups):
Conduct a PCR test on arrival in Qatar at one of the ports.
A PCR test will be performed on arrival on the sixth day and if a negative test result appears, the person will be released from quarantine on the seventh day.

In the case of hotel quarantine (all age groups):
The PCR test will be done on the first day at the quarantine hotel after arrival.
A PCR test will be performed on the sixth day and if the test result is negative, the person will be released from quarantine on the seventh day.

II. GCC Citizens:

Quarantine policy:

1. Fully vaccinated and Unvaccinated travelers:
These travelers will be subject to hotel quarantine for 7 days upon arrival in Qatar.

Before arrival:
Conduct a negative PCR test within 72 hours before arrival in Qatar (All age groups).

After arrival:
The PCR test will be done on the first day at the quarantine hotel after arrival (all age groups).
A PCR test will be performed on the sixth day and if the test result is negative, the person will be released from quarantine on the seventh day (all age groups).

III. Residents of Qatar

Quarantine policy:

1. Fully vaccinated travelers:
These travelers will be subject to quarantine for 7days upon arrival as follow:
Hotel quarantine for 2 days
Home quarantine for 5 days

Before arrival:
Conduct a negative PCR test within 72 hours before arrival in Qatar (All age groups).

In case of hotel quarantine:
quarantine hotel
In case of home quarantine:
Primary Health Care Corporation health centers
Private clinics/hospitals licensed by the Ministry of Public Health to conduct this test.

2. Unvaccinated travelers:
These travelers will be subject to hotel quarantine for 7 days upon arrival in Qatar.

Before arrival:
Conduct a negative PCR test within 72 hours before arrival in Qatar (All age groups).

Group B: Visitors to Qatar with pre-approved and on-arrival visas

Quarantine policy:

1. Fully vaccinated travelers:
These travelers will be subject to hotel quarantine for 7 days upon arrival in Qatar.

Before arrival:
Conduct a negative PCR test within 72 hours before arrival to Qatar (All age groups)?
?After arrival:
The PCR test will be done on the first day at the quarantine hotel after arrival (all age groups).
A PCR test will be performed on the sixth day and if the test result is negative, the person will be released from quarantine on the seventh day (all age groups).

2. Unvaccinated travelers
Entry is not allowed?