Qatar will ease up more COVID-19 restrictions starting this Saturday, 21 May, following the latest Cabinet decision.

The decision was based on the assessment that the country already registered a very high vaccination rate, thanks to the continuing cooperation between the government and the general public, enabling the country to successfully combat the pandemic and allow for more eased up restrictions at this stage.

The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has issued further details relating to the changes.

Wearing of face masks

The wearing of face masks is now mandatory in only the following situations:

  • For all individuals within healthcare facilities (workers and visitors)
  • For all individuals on public transport
  • For customer service employees working indoors including cashiers, receptionists and security personnel

MoPH, however, advises the public to take personal responsibility to protect themselves and others (particularly those who they care for) by wearing face masks in indoor areas if they are vulnerable, have chronic conditions, have symptoms or are near people who seem to have symptoms and when in crowded or poorly ventilated areas.

Proof of vaccination or immune status

Checking of vaccination or immune status is not required anymore to enter closed indoor public areas. A green Ehteraz status is still required to enter public indoor areas.

Rapid Antigen Tests for unvaccinated individuals

The requirement to have a negative rapid antigen test for unvaccinated or non-immune individuals to enter public facilities is lifted for all areas.

Approvals for organising events (effective 19 May)

Event organisers are no longer required to seek prior approval from MoPH to hold events. Organisers, however, must submit an application to the competent authority to obtain the necessary approval to hold the event and adhere to the following:

  • Follow the precautionary and preventive measures stated in the COVID-19 safety protocol on the MoPH website
  • Prepare and submit a plan to mitigate risk of COVID-19 in order to ensure the application of all preventive COVID-19 measures related to the event
  • Assign a person responsible for compliance with these procedures on their part
  • Sign the pledge (undertaking) to abide by the MOPH COVID-19 precautionary measures

MOPH will work closely with the Ministry of Interior to conduct random inspections of events and activities to assess adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures.

Changes to COVID-19 data publishing

From Sunday, 22 May, MoPH will cease the daily publication of COVID-19 data on social media and switch to a weekly summary. The MoPH website will continue to be updated daily with all the key COVID-19 data including new cases, hospitalisations, deaths, the number of vaccines administered and the number of recovered patients. The weekly COVID-19 data summary will be posted on social media every Monday, commencing on Monday, 30 May.

The ministry stated that the lifting of COVID-19 preventive measures comes in light of the continued low numbers of COVID-19 cases in Qatar in recent weeks, mainly due to very high vaccination rates and the continuing cooperation of the community. This has contributed to the success of Qatar’s efforts to combat the pandemic and therefore, most aspects of life have now returned to normal.

For updates and more information, visit moph.gov.qa. 

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