UPDATED: 5 April 2020

Following the recent developments on the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the Qatar government has continually assured residents that all required preventive measures are being undertaken following the mandate of the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH). 

Based on the latest update from MoPH as of 5 April, there are currently 1,325 infected patients in Qatar. The new infected cases are in complete sanitary isolation and are receiving the necessary medical care. The Ministry reassures all members of the public that all of the patients’ contacts have been quarantined and are being tested to ensure they are free from infection.

The Ministry also announced that 109 patients in Qatar recovered from COVID-19.

The MOPH urges everyone to follow preventive measures to ensure their safety and the safety of the community. MoPH COVID-19 toll-free hotline is 16000.

As part of precautionary measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the country,  Qatar is implementing stricter measures. This includes banning all forms of public gatherings at places like the Corniche. All public transportation are suspended.

Classes in all public and private schools and universities are also suspended. Accordingly, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that all services and prayers in all churches at the religious complex, including the IDCC complex, are cancelled effective 13 March.

Cinemas, theatres, children’s play areas, gyms and wedding venues, including those in hotels, clubs and bars are now closed. Dining in restaurants and cafes are also banned.

For a list of cancelled events in Qatar visit https://bit.ly/38IGKyl

PHCC also announced that all scheduled appointments are cancelled except for well baby and vaccination clinics and urgent radiology and ultra sound appointments. All walk-in and urgent units will be operating as normal.

Covid 19 Awareness Poster by the Ministry of Interior

The Public Relations Department of the Ministry of Interior released an awareness poster on COVID-19 in various languages – Arabic, English, Hindi, Urdu, Nepalese, Bangla, Malayalam, Tagalog, Sinhalese and Tamil. The initiative aims to raise awareness on prevention and spread of coronavirus among the various communities in Qatar.

PROTECT_URSELF_MARCH-01-2020

COVID-19 in Numbers

According to the WHO data as of 5 April 2020, COVID-19 has affected 209 countries / territories with total confirmed cases now at 1,093,349 and 58,620 deaths. The US is now on top of the list with the most number of confirmed cases (273,808), followed by Italy (119,827), Spain (117,710) and Germany (85,778).

Iran (55,743) remains on top with the highest number of confirmed cases in the Middle East, followed by Turkey (20,921) and Israel (7,030).

For a complete list of COVID-19 cases around the world, visit the WHO website. Worldometers and Johns Hopskins University also provide real time numbers update on confirmed cases, deaths and recoveries. 

Global Travel Restrictions 

Travel restrictions are now strictly implemented in Qatar and in different countries and areas around the world, to avoid further spread of COVID-19. Be prepared to follow requirements to avoid any inconvenience. Qatar Airways however, has resumed flight services to ‘get people home’.

Qatar Airways: Getting People Home

We appreciate this is a difficult time and that many people around the world are trying to find a way to get home. At Qatar Airways, we continue to operate more than 150 flights per day so that as many people as possible can get home safely to their loved ones.

As of 24 March, we are operating services to over 70 cities worldwide. We are constantly reviewing our operations to see where there is more demand and requests, and wherever possible, we will add more flights or bigger aircraft. This is a challenging time for the aviation industry and we are thankful to airports and authorities and their staff around the world for their incredible efforts to help us get passengers home.

Turkish Airlines has also released an announcement extending the stoppage of their flights until 17 April. Limited domestic flights are still available. Visit their website for more updates.

Turkish Airlines announcement

More information can be found at iatatravelcentre.com . You can also check out our Facebook post below. 

Safety Reminders 

If you are not in an area where COVID-19 is spreading, and if you have not travelled from one of those areas or have not been in close contact with someone who has and is feeling unwell, your chances of getting infected are low. Take reasonable precautions to keep yourself safe.

COVID PREVENTION

 

Wash your hands frequently
Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub kills viruses that may be on your hands.

Maintain social distancing
Maintain at least one metre distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing. When someone coughs or sneezes, they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease.

Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth
Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and can make you sick.

Practice respiratory hygiene
Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.

If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early
Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention. Follow the directions of your local health authority.

For COVID-19 updates, visit the MoPH dedicated page.