Have you missed the most important coronavirus (COVID-19) updates of the week on the coronavirus in Qatar Weekly Update? Every Thursday, we take a moment to bring you all the updates and latest developments in the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic in Qatar.
Here's what happened in Week 14. Read below to know more about what's happening in Qatar and how the government is trying to control the situation in Week 15.
Many parents have been asking if children are required to install the precautionary app too, stating that most kids under 12 years old do not own a smartphone yet.
We have reached out to the government hotlines for clarification regarding this matter. Qatar Government Contact Center 109 mentioned that according to the Ministry of Interior, children under 18 years old are not required to install the app. However, according to both 109 and 16000, it is highly encouraged that children who have QID and their own smartphones have the EHTERAZ app installed and turned on especially when they leave the house for any reason as an added safety precaution.
The government hotlines have also reiterated that parents should make sure that children stay home as much as possible and only leave the house for necessary matters.
For more information regarding EHTERAZ, read theFrequently Asked Questions here. The app has also been recently updated to include visa option during registration.
Talabat Qatar has introduced cashless tipping, a way for customers to show their appreciation to the Talabat riders that deliver their food and groceries. Cashless tipping allows customers to add a tip for QAR 2, QAR 4, or QAR 8 through the Talabat App, after delivery. As the first delivery platform in the region to promote safety in the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in Qatar through contactless delivery, and cashless options, giving customers a way to now tip their rider through the Talabat app was paramount.
To tip the rider, after delivery, customers simply go to the Talabat main home screen - and under the ‘Order Again’ heading, by their most recent order - press ‘Tip Rider.’ Please make sure to have the most up to date version of the Talabat app. You can download the Talabat app from Google Play or the App Store.
Qatar Charity (QC) has launched an initiative under the hashtag #RescueMission, in cooperation with Qatari youth initiatives, as part of a campaign to face Corona "Human Call" to contribute to helping and saving lives of thousands of people affected by the corona pandemic around the world.
The initiative aims to raise one million Qatari riyals to help the affected people of corona, from seven youth initiatives, as well as contribute to the humanitarian efforts undertaken by Qatar Charity to enable the most vulnerable to overcome these conditions, and support the health sector in 34 countries around the world to withstand this pandemic and curb its spread.
10 June 2020 04:32 pm
His Excellency (H.E.) Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani chaired the regular Cabinet meeting through video communication technology this afternoon. Following the meeting, H.E. Minister of Justice and Acting Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Dr. Issa bin Saad Al Jafali Al Nuaimi made the following statement about the main cabinet decisions:
The working hours of employees in the government sector who have to be in the work place will be 7 hours a day, starting from 7 am and ending at 2 pm, effective from Sunday, June 14 2020.
Private healthcare facilities will be allowed to operate at 40% capacity (Ministry of Public Health will ensure all necessary preventive and precautionary measures are taken in this regard), effective from Monday, 15 June 2020 until further notice.
Emergency services, meanwhile, will continue to operate at full capacity.
The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has just announced the registration of 1,716 new confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) bringing the total number of positive cases in Qatar to date to 73,595 and has stated that 1,844 more people have recovered from the virus, bringing the total number of people that have recovered in Qatar to 49,413. Unfortunately, 4 new deaths have also been reported bring the total number of coronavirus-related deaths to date in Qatar to 66.
The Ministry states that in the last 24 hours 15 new cases have been admitted to intensive care due to health complications resulting from infection with the virus, bringing the total number of cases currently in intensive care to 226.
The Ministry states that the four deaths recorded today belong to three people aged 74, 54 and 56 years old who were suffering from several chronic diseases, while the fourth death is due to a person aged 55 years who did not have any existing chronic disease. All of them received medical care in intensive care units.
The Ministry states that the new cases are due to expatriate workers who were infected with the virus as a result of contact with individuals who were previously infected, in addition to recording new cases of infection among groups of workers in different regions. The new cases have been identified through track and trace team at the MoPH.
Cases of infection have also increased significantly among citizens and residents as a result of contact with infected family members who had been infected in the workplace or through visits and family gatherings. The new confirmed cases of infection have been introduced to complete isolation in the various medical facilities in the country, where they receive the necessary healthcare according to the health status of each case.
All permitted arrivals into Qatar must go into Government approved quarantine for a 14-day period upon arrival into Qatar.
Upon arrival, Qatari Nationals will be placed into Government provided and funded quarantine hotels for a period of 14 days. No advanced reservation is required and hotels and transport will be allocated upon arrival at HIA.
Qatari Nationals will require a confirmed flight ticket, and a confirmed self-funded quarantine hotel reservation, which can be booked and paid for with Discover Qatar. These packages will go on sale from Sunday 14 June, and can also be booked upon arrival into Qatar at HIA. Only Qatari Nationals will be permitted to arrive in Qatar until 1 August 2020.
All Qatari Nationals and Qatar Resident Permit Holders (QID) will require a confirmed flight ticket, a valid QID, and a self-funded confirmed quarantine hotel reservation booked with Discover Qatar. You will not be able to board your flight to Qatar without providing confirmation of your 14-day quarantine package.
Click here if your QID is expired.
For those planning to return during the fourth phase, Discover Qatar recommends that you wait until closer to your planned date of arrival into Qatar before confirming your travel plans, in case any of the quarantine requirements have changed.
No, as per the Ministry of Public Health regulations, the 14-day quarantine is required at an approved and designated quarantine hotel.
Yes, but the same entry conditions will be present for Qatari Nationals and QID holders.
Source: Discover Qatar
One of the precautionary measures implemented by Qatar to stop the spread of COVID-19 in the country was to suspend inbound flights with the exemption of returning Qatari nationals. As a result, many expatriates and residents couldn't come back.
One common dilemma that arose from those currently stuck outside the country was if they will be able to return back to Qatar with an expired QID.
It was earlier announced by the Ministry of Administrative Development Labour and Social Affairs (MADLSA) that "The expatriates from countries who are denied entry to Qatar over coronavirus will be allowed into the country once the entry ban is lifted even if their Qatar IDs have expired or if they have stayed more than six months out of Qatar."
According to Discover Qatar, the destination management division of Qatar Airways and partner of the National Tourism Council:
"If your QID has expired whilst you have been outside of Qatar you will be permitted to re-enter Qatar to renew your QID after you have successfully completed your 14-day quarantine."
According to the four-phase plan of the gradual lifting of COVID-19 restrictions in Qatar, low-risk inbound flights for priority passengers like returning residents will start on August 1, 2020 (third phase).
Source: Discover Qatar
A recently posted travel alert on its website states that Hamad International Airport (HIA) would like to remind passengers of the current safety measures to be observed and complied with while travelling, to ensure the safety of all passengers and airport staff.
The travel safety measures for departing passengers are:
Kindly note that only travelling passengers will be permitted access to the terminal. Passengers are advised to adhere to the above recommendations to be able to travel without any issues.
Source: Hamad International Airport
Countries across the globe have implemented some sort of travel advisory in an effort to contain the spread of the COVID-19 and Qatar is no exception to this. However, despite the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, Qatar Airways resolves to continue operating flights to many cities around the world to help thousands of passengers get home safely. The national carrier of Qatar is now rebuilding its network and recently flights to several destinations have been resumed that include Bangkok, Barcelona, Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Singapore, and Vienna.
By the end of June, Qatar Airways aims to have 80 destinations in the schedule including 23 in Europe, four in the Americas, 20 in Middle East/Africa and 33 in Asia-Pacific. Many cities will be served with a strong schedule with daily or more frequencies.
The MoPH confirmed that 1721 new confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) had been registered, and 1634 people recovered from the disease in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of recoveries in Qatar to 47,569. The Ministry also announced 5 deaths.
The Ministry stated that 16 new cases were admitted to intensive care due to health complications resulting from infection with the virus, bringing the total number of cases currently in intensive care to 236.
The Ministry also stated that there had been a small decrease in the number of acute coronavirus (COVID-19) positive patients being admitted to intensive care thanks to the measures taken by the MoPH and the concerned authorities to limit the spread of the virus, the most important of which is the early detection of the virus which can contribute significantly to reducing the severity of infection.
The Ministry stated that the new cases were due to expatriate workers who were infected with the virus as a result of contact with individuals who were previously infected, in addition to recording new cases of infection among groups of workers in different regions. The new cases were identified through the track and trace team at the MoPH.
Cases of infection also increased significantly among citizens and residents as a result of contact with infected family members who had been infected in the workplace or through visits and family gatherings.
The ministry stated that the five deaths recorded belonged to persons aged 65 years, 78 years, 80 years, 74 years and 53 years. They all received medical care in intensive care. The MoPH offers sincere condolences and great sympathy to the families of the deceased.
The Ministry of Education and Higher Education has succeeded, with distinction, in completing the 2019/2020 academic year despite the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, which halted education in most countries.
The Ministry implemented e-learning education to complete the academic year after parents and society feared the effects of the pandemic on the health and safety of their children, as well as a halt in education.
On March 23, students began their studies through the e-distance education system and the Ministry canceled the end of the second-semester tests for grades 1-11 and replaced it by conducting an evaluation process for these students, provided that general and specialized high school students take the end of the second-semester tests as usual. These tests started on June 1 and end on June 13.
The Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) has confirmed that it is taking the utmost care to protect patients and medical personnel from the risks of transmission of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).
The Head of Al Thumama Health Centre at PHCC Dr. Hanadi Al Hail, said in press statements that PHCC has developed a comprehensive plan for health center patients that includes the presence of medical staff at the gates to take the pathological history of each patients and measure temperature and separate suspected cases with directing them to emergency department which prevents them from mixing with other patients, as well as organising waiting and reception areas and marking and tips for social distancing to ensure everyone's safety.
H.E. Lolwah bint Rashid bin Mohammed Al Khater, Spokesperson of the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management and Dr. Abdullatif Mohamed Al Khal, Chairman of the National Strategic Group on COVID-19 held a press conference tonight to provide the latest developments regarding Qatar's efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The press conference highlights gradually removing the restrictions imposed in Qatar as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
For the full government presentation slides on the easing of restrictions we’ve uploaded the file here: Controlled Phased Lifting of COVID-19 Restrictions in Qatar
Ministry of Public Health today announces the registration of 1,368 new confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) and that 1,597 people have recovered from the disease in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of recoveries in the State of Qatar to 45,935. The Ministry also announces that three people have died from the virus in the last 24 hours.
The Ministry states that in the last 24 hours 19 new cases have been admitted to intensive care due to health complications resulting from infection with the virus, bringing the total number of cases currently in intensive care to 241.
The Ministry also states that there has been a small decrease in the number of acute COVID-19 positive patients being admitted to intensive care thanks to the measures taken by the Ministry of Public Health and the concerned authorities to limit the spread of the virus, the most important of which is the early detection of the virus which can contribute significantly to reducing the severity of infection.
The Ministry states that the new cases are due to expatriate workers who were infected with the virus as a result of contact with individuals who were previously infected, in addition to recording new cases of infection among groups of workers in different regions.
The Ministry explains that the deaths that were recorded today were receiving medical care in intensive care, and the deceased were suffering from several chronic diseases. The three new deaths are attributed to people aged 50, 52 and 65 years old. The Ministry of Public Health offers sincere condolences and great sympathy to the families of the deceased. The Ministry affirms that efforts to tackle the virus in the State of Qatar have succeeded in flattening the curve and reducing the impact of the virus mainly through the preventive measures taken and the cooperation of all members of society, and that the number of new hospital admissions is now showing a limited decrease.
The Qatar Stars League (QSL) announced the schedule of matches in Weeks 18, 19 and 20 of the 2019-20 season QNB Stars League, after co-ordination with the authorities concerned.
The matches will be played at three stadiums having cooling technology - Education City, Al Janoub and Jassim bin Hamad.
It may be noted that the kick-off timings and venues of matches in the last two weeks (21 and 22) will be finalized later based on the results and standings of teams in the table, as the QSL is keen to provide all clubs with equal opportunities.
CLICK HERE to view the schedule. You can watch the matches at home on the Al Kass channel.
The Ministry of Endowments (Awqaf) and Islamic Affairs, represented by the General Department of Endowments, announced the distribution of a second batch of food baskets for needy families in the State of Qatar, in cooperation with Hifz Al Naema Centre. 1,500 food baskets were distributed to families in need.
The Ministry launched this initiative, in light of the current circumstances, which affected many families that benefited from the services of the Hifz Al Naema Center, which was affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, as it was primarily dependent on social events. The immediate intervention by the Ministry of Awqaf prevented the services from being completely stopped and has contributed to the continued provision of its services to more than 1,035 families in need in the first batch and 1.500 families in the second batch.
The distribution was not only limited to food baskets, but the campaign also supported families by providing 260 sheep.
More than 170 COVID-19 patients in Qatar have received Convalescent Plasma (CP) treatment in Qatar so far, half of whom showed improved clinical symptoms, and eventually recovered.
CP treatment involves taking plasma from the blood of patients who have recovered from COVID-19 and transfusing it into patients currently battling the virus. As people fight the COVID-19 virus, their body produces antibodies to attack it. Once a person recovers, the antibodies stay in their body to fight the virus if it returns. Plasma from one recovered patient can be used to treat one to two infected patients.
A plasma donation center has been set up at Hamad Medical Corporation’s Communicable Disease Centre. The center has been equipped with the latest devices that work to separate the plasma from the blood directly and then simultaneously return the other components to the donor, and this process takes about 45 minutes. In addition, the center contains plasma preservation devices of 80 degrees below zero, ensuring its suitability for the longest possible period of time.
More establishments in Qatar have now announced their decision to require the GREEN healthy status on the EHTERAZ app upon entry. This comes after hypermarkets and supermarkets in Qatar announced last week. Starting May 22, 2020, all citizens and residents of Qatar were obligated to install the EHTERAZ app when leaving the house for any reason, as part of the country's precautionary measures to limit the spread of COVID-19. A recent update of the app now allows non-QID holders to register using the visa option (Android). Prior to this, only QID holders were able to register and use the app.
The MoPH announced the registration of 1,595 new confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) bringing the total number of positive cases in Qatar to 68,790 and stated that 1,811 more people recovered from the virus, bringing the total number of people that have recovered in Qatar to 44,338. Unfortunately, three new deaths were also reported bring the total number of coronavirus-related deaths in Qatar to 54.
The Ministry stated that the new cases were due to expatriate workers who were infected with the virus as a result of contact with individuals who were previously infected, in addition to recording new cases of infection among groups of workers in different regions. The new cases were identified through the track and trace team at the MoPH.
Cases of infection also increased significantly among citizens and residents as a result of contact with infected family members who had been infected in the workplace or through visits and family gatherings. The new confirmed cases of infection were introduced to complete isolation in the various medical facilities in the country, where they received the necessary healthcare according to the health status of each case.
The Ministry explained the deaths that were recorded were receiving medical care in intensive care, and the deceased were suffering from several chronic diseases. The deaths were attributed to a 40-year-old and two 68-year-olds. The MoPH offers sincere condolences and great sympathy to the families of the deceased.
What's new in the EHTERAZ app? The app now allows registration using the visa number, which allows non-QID holders to now be able to use EHTERAZ.
This update is good news for people in Qatar who still do not have QID since the EHTERAZ app is mandatory to be installed upon leaving the house for any reason since May 22, 2020. The GREEN healthy status on the app is also now required when entering supermarkets and some other establishments around Qatar. Prior to this update, only QID holders can register and use the app.
Read here to learn about the frequently asked questions about the EHTERAZ app and here for the different visas in Qatar.
H.E. Minister of Public Health Dr. Hanan Mohammed Al Kuwari highlighted the important role played by the women in Qatar in combatting the coronavirus (COVID-19), noting that women constitute a high percentage of the health cadres working in the front lines in the fight against the virus and protecting the society.
The meeting touched on a number of issues, most importantly increasing the role of women in global health, the overall impact of the COVID-19 on women, the benefit of health policies and programs designed and implemented by women leaders, the global cooperation and solidarity to combat the pandemic, ensuring that women and girls are at the heart of the socioeconomic response efforts, and the social protection efforts to recover from coronavirus (COVID-19) by ensuring the economic stimulus that is targeted at women specifically.
The meeting also discussed the implications of coronavirus (COVID-19) on the mental health of women and girls, and ways to ensure that all political responses to the crisis take into account the unique needs, responsibilities, and perspectives of women.
Women working in the health sector constitute 67% of the workforce in the health sector, according to a study conducted by the World Health Organisation in 104 countries.
The MoPH announced the registration of 1700 new confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) and 1592 people recovered from the disease, bringing the total number of recoveries in Qatar to 42,527 cases. The Ministry also announced that two people had died from the virus.
The Ministry states that there has been a small decrease in the number acute COVID positive patients being admitted to intensive care thanks to the measures taken by the Ministry of Public Health and the concerned authorities to limit the spread of the virus, the most important of which is the early detection of the virus which can contribute significantly to reducing the severity of infection.
The Ministry states that the new cases are due to expatriate workers who were infected with the virus as a result of contact with individuals who were previously infected, in addition to recording new cases of infection among groups of workers in different regions. The new cases have been identified through track and trace team at the Ministry of Public Health.
Cases of infection have also increased significantly among citizens and residents as a result of contact with infected family members who had been infected in the workplace or through visits and family gatherings.
The new confirmed cases of infection have been introduced to complete isolation in the various medical facilities in the country, where they receive the necessary healthcare according to the health status of each case.
The Ministry of Health reported that the new deaths recorded today are sadly two persons, both aged 57-years-old, both of whom were suffering from chronic diseases, and receiving the necessary medical support in intensive care. The Ministry of Public Health offers its sincere condolences and great sympathy to the families of the deceased
HMC has recently signed a joint cooperation agreement with Jassim and Hamad Bin Jassim Charitable Foundation (HBJ Foundation). Under the agreement, the charitable foundation will donate QAR 2 million in financial support to HMC to contribute to the treatment of coronavirus (COVID-19) patients who are receiving healthcare across HMC facilities.
The agreement was signed by HMC's Chief of Healthcare Facilities Hamad Nasser Al Khalifa and Board Member and CEO of Jassim and Hamad Bin Jassim Charitable Foundation Saeed Mathkar Al Hajri.
The MoPH announced 1754 confirmed new cases of coronavirus (COVID-19), with 1467 people having recovered from the disease. This brought the total number of people recovered in Qatar to 40,935. The Ministry also announced that 4 people had died from the virus.
18 patients were admitted to intensive care due to the virus, bringing the total number of patients in intensive care to 238 cases.
The Ministry stated the new cases were due to expatriate workers who were infected with the virus as a result of contact with individuals who were previously infected, in addition to recording new cases of infection among groups of workers in different regions. The new cases have been identified through track and trace team at the MoPH. Cases of infection also increased significantly among citizens and residents as a result of contact with infected family members who had been infected in the workplace or through visits and family gatherings.
The new confirmed cases of infection had been introduced to complete isolation in the various medical facilities in the country, where they received the necessary healthcare according to the health status of each case. The MoPH reported that the people who had sadly died were aged 90, 70, 62 and 80 years – all of whom were suffering from chronic diseases, and receiving the necessary medical support in intensive care. The MoPH offers its sincere condolences and great sympathy to the families of the deceased.
As part of the precautionary measures to mitigate the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), a significant number of countries in the world including Qatar have travel restrictions in place. Due to this current situation, a lot of questions have arisen regarding the renewal of Residence Permits (RP), visa extensions, and travel restrictions! To help you with this situation, we have reached to the Government Contact Center to get your questions answered.
Dr. Abdullatif Mohamed Al Khal, Chairman of the National Strategic Group on coronavirus (COVID-19) and head of the Infectious Diseases Division at HMC holds an exclusive interview tonight on Qatar TV and Al Rayyan TV to provide the latest coronavirus (COVID-19 updates).
The following updates were announced:
H.H. The Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani announced Thursday a new pledge, from Qatar, worth USD 20 million in support of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation "GAVI". H.H. The Amir also called upon the international community to work jointly to ensure fairness in providing necessary medicines and medical equipment to all countries. His Highness further reiterated the support of Qatar to the WHO for its coordinating efforts to combat the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and to promote global readiness to confront infectious diseases in the future.
The MoPH announced the registration of 1581 confirmed new cases of coronavirus (COVID-19), with 1926 people having recovered from the virus, bringing the total number of recovered people in Qatar to 39,468.
The Ministry also recorded 14 new cases being admitted to intensive care due to the virus, bringing the total number of cases in intensive care to 239.
The Ministry stated that the new cases were due to expatriate workers who were infected with the virus as a result of contact with individuals who were previously infected, in addition to recording new cases of infection among groups of workers in different regions. The new cases were identified after conducting investigations by the research and investigation teams of the MoPH that contributed to early detection of cases.
Cases of infection also increased among citizens and residents as a result of contact with infected family members who had been infected in the workplace or through visits and family gatherings.The new confirmed cases of infection were introduced to complete isolation in the various medical facilities in the country, where they received the necessary healthcare according to the health status of each case.
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry closes the Centrepoint located in Barwa Village for a period of 15 days, subject to renewal, announced in a tweet on the MOCI Twitter page. The temporary closure is due to the violation of the closure of the retail stores in the commercial complexes and shopping malls that were announced by the Ministry as a precautionary measure to confront the coronavirus (COVID-19) to maintain public health.
Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) has been announced by Ipsos, the worlds third largest research agency, as one of 10 Qatari organisations that proved most supportive in dealing with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The top 10 choices were as follows (in an alphabetical order): Al Meera, Doha Bank, MoPH, Ooredoo, Qatar Airways, Qatar Charity (QC), Qatar Foundation (QF), Qatar National Bank (QNB), Qatar Petroleum (QP), and QRCS.
According to the report, QRCS's successful coronavirus (COVID-19) control efforts were spotlighted in many research studies by Ipsos and other multinational firms concerned with the pandemic.
When do you think this coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in Qatar will end? What are you doing to flatten the curve? Are you following all the SOPs? Do let us know your thoughts in our Comments section. Like and share the article - it keeps us going!
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