The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has announced the phase 4 of the gradual lifting of coronavirus restrictions imposed on spa activities, massage services and indoor swimming pools, which will come into force from 15 September.

The Ministry announces the fourth stage of the gradual lifting of restrictions on health resort (spa) activities, massage services and indoor swimming pools #Qatar #YourSafetyIsMySafety pic.twitter.com/fHG9tcIMtB

— وزارة التجارة والصناعة (@MOCIQatar) August 31, 2020

• Increasing the occupancy rate of men's hairdressing salons and women's beauty centres to 50% of the total capacity.

• Allowing the resumption of spa activities, massage services, jacuzzi, Moroccan and Turkish bath services, and indoor swimming pools with a capacity of 30% of the normal capacity in hotels.
• Moroccan and Turkish bath and indoor swimming pools in women's beauty centres and gyms with a capacity of 30% of the normal capacity, provided that the total area of the facility is not less than 250 square meters, subject to obtaining the prior approval of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• Opening of facilities that provide massage services, Jacuzzis, Moroccan and Turkish bath services, and indoor swimming pools, which is less than 250 square meters, is postponed to the next phase of gradually lifting of restrictions imposed on spa activities.

According to the Ministry's decision, the management of spas and salons are bound by the precautionary measures and preventive measures set by the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) and the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labor and Social Affairs (MADSLA), and they must abide by the following guidelines:

• The number of clients should not exceed the allowed occupancy rate during the current period.
• Clients should be allowed to enter only after checking 'green status' on Ehteraz app
• Examine the temperature of customers at entrances and do not allow individuals whose temperature exceeds 38 degrees celsius.
• Providing hand sanitizers and soap in all spa and salon facilities.
• Requiring customers to book in advance and preventing them from waiting and gathering inside spas and salons.
• Requiring employees and clients to leave a distance of not less than two meters between them.

The Ministry affirmed that the success of each stage of the comprehensive plan for the gradual lifting of restrictions depends on the extent of everyone’s commitment to implementing the required preventive and precautionary measures.

Phase 4 has been split into two parts:

As Qatar moves on to phase four, it is important for the community to continue to follow procedures to ensure that efforts are successful and the nation can fully reopen. Based on Qatar’s public health indicators and the Coronavirus (COVID-19) infection rate in the community, it has been decided to split phase four into two parts. The first phase will commence on 1 September, and the situation will be assessed on an ongoing basis, including the re-imposing and/or lifting of some restrictions based on developments mid-September. The second phase will commence at the beginning of the third week of September.

For more information on part one of Phase 4, check out the following link: https://www.iloveqatar.net/coronavirus/govUpdates/phase-4-to-start-on-1-september-split-into-2-phases-gco

Precautionary measures to take:

The Supreme Committee for Crisis Management emphasises that the evaluation of lifting further measures depends on the cooperation of all and the commitment to following precautionary measures:

• ​Adherence to physical distancing.
• Avoid close contact with others, crowded places and confined closed spaces where other people congregate.
• Wearing a face mask.
• Washing hands regularly. 
• Most importantly, it is vital that we continue to protect the elderly and those with chronic medical conditions. 
• When spending time at home with elderly family members or those with chronic diseases, ensure you wash hands regularly, wear a mask and maintain social and physical distancing.
• Anyone suffering from COVID-19 symptoms should either contact 16000 helpline or go directly to one of the designated health centers to undergo the necessary checks: Muaither, Rawdat Al Khail, Umm Slal, or Al Gharafa Health Centers. This is important as the earlier the disease is detected the easier it will be to receive the right treatment and recover from it. 
• Visit the MOPH website for regular updates and new information.

Source: MOCI
Cover image source: Shutterstock

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Vrinda Abilash

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