The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has announced the fourth phase of the gradual lifting of restrictions imposed on restaurants. Restaurants that get a “Qatar Clean Programme” certificate can have 100% dine-in capacity from Tuesday 1 September, while adhering to the requirements of the Ministry of Public Health and the Ministry of Municipality and Environment. However, the restaurants that do not possess this certificate will have to limit their dine-in services to 30% of their capacities.

According to the MOCI, restaurants are not allowed to provide buffet and sheesha services. While the menus have to be pre-set, hand sanitisers should be provided and safe-distance stickers should be stuck on the floors. Tables should be laid at least 2 metres away from one another.

The requirements also included preventing the entry of people who do not wear medical face masks, measuring the temperature of customers at the entrances, not allowing individuals whose temperature exceeds 38 degrees Celsius to enter the restaurant, providing hand sanitizers in all facilities, and placing safe distance stickers on the floors, as well as redistributing the tables by leaving a distance of at least two meters between tables.

The decision also allowed a maximum of five people to sit at one table (but excluded members of one family), and called for encouraging customers to pay with bank cards and avoid the use of paper currencies, prohibiting smoking in the entrances to the restaurant and removing all containers for cigarette waste, in addition to preventing the gathering of customers or Limousines drivers at the entrance to the restaurant.

The Ministry also called for continuously examining and measuring the temperature of the restaurant's workers, isolating the employees who show symptoms of infection, informing the concerned authorities to take the necessary precautionary and health measures, and sterilizing all restaurant facilities, including administrative offices, stores, employee housing, and transportation means of the restaurant.

How can restaurants get the 'Qatar Clean Programme' certificate?

The restaurants can obtain the 'Qatar Clean Programme certificate by applying for it onqatarclean.com. (Download the form related to restaurant requirements, fill in the required information and send it to [email protected].)

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: QNA

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Nabeela

Content Writer

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