The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has a new quarantine and travel policy for SOME countries in Southern Africa recently added to the exceptional red list.

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. Visitors from these countries will also be subject to hotel quarantine upon arrival.

The changes will come into effect starting on Wednesday, 1 December at 6 pm. The new policy is for people coming from Botswana, Egypt, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

READ ALSO: Qatar Airways Announces Flight Restrictions from Five South African Countries

GROUP A: QATARI CITIZENS, GCC CITIZENS and QATAR RESIDENTS

QATARI CITIZENS: Fully vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers will both be subject to home quarantine for seven days upon arrival in the country, with the option to choose to undergo hotel quarantine if desired.

Before Arrival
They should undergo a PCR test within 72 hours before arrival in Qatar.

After Arrival
In case of home quarantine (for all age groups), they should undergo a PCR test on arrival in Qatar at any one of the ports. A PCR test will again be performed on the 6th day and if a negative test result appears, the person will be released from quarantine on the 7th day.

In case of hotel quarantine (for all age groups), the PCR test will be conducted on the first day at the quarantine hotel after arrival. A PCR test will again be performed on the 6th day and if the test result is negative, the person will be released from quarantine on the 7th day.

GCC CITIZENS: Fully vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers will be subject to hotel quarantine for seven days upon arrival in Qatar.

Before Arrival 
They should undergo a PCR test within 72 hours before arrival in Qatar (all age groups).

After Arrival 
A PCR test will be done on the first day at the quarantine hotel after arrival (for all age groups). A PCR test will be performed again on the 6th day and if the test result is negative, the person will be released from quarantine on the 7th day (for all age groups).

QATAR RESIDENTS

Fully vaccinated travellers will be subject to quarantine for seven days upon arrival: hotel quarantine for two days and home quarantine for five days.

Before Arrival 
They should undergo a PCR test within 72 hours before arrival in Qatar (all age groups).

After Arrival 
A PCR test will be done on the first day at the quarantine hotel after arrival (for all age groups). A PCR test will again be performed on the 6th day and if the test result is negative, the person will be released from quarantine on the 7th day (for all age groups).

PCR tests should be taken in these facilities

  • In case of hotel quarantine, at the quarantine hotel
  • In case of home quarantine, at any one of the PHCC health centres
  • Private clinics and hospitals licenced by the Ministry of Public Health to conduct the test.

Unvaccinated residents will be subject to hotel quarantine for seven days upon arrival in Qatar.

Before Arrival 
They should undergo a PCR test within 72 hours before arrival in Qatar (all age groups).

After Arrival 
A PCR test will be conducted on the first day at the quarantine hotel after arrival (for all age groups). Another PCR test will be performed on the 6th day and if the result is negative, the person will be released from quarantine on the 7th day (for all age groups).

GROUP B: VISITORS TO QATAR WITH PRE-APPROVED AND ON-ARRIVAL VISAS

Fully vaccinated travellers will be subject to hotel quarantine for seven days upon arrival in Qatar.

Before arrival, they are required to undergo a PCR test within 72 hours before arrival to Qatar (for all age groups). After arrival, they will have to undergo a PCR test on their first day at the quarantine hotel after arrival (for all age groups). Another PCR test will be performed on the 6th day and if the test result is negative, the person will be released from quarantine on the 7th day (for all age groups).

Unvaccinated travellers will not be allowed entry to Qatar.

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


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