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 18. Read below to know more about what's happening in Qatar and how the government is trying to control the situation in Week 19.
New cases and recoveries
His Excellency Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior chaired the regular meeting held by the Council this afternoon through video communication technology. Following the meeting, H.E. Dr. Issa bin Saad Jaffali Al Naimi, Minister of Justice and Acting Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, including the following:
1 - Revoking his decision regarding closing shops and stopping all commercial activities on Friday and Saturday of each week.
2 - This decision is effective from Thursday, July 9, 2020.
The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) announced the registration of 608 new confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) bringing the total number of positive cases in Qatar to date to 101,553 and stated that 1,204 more people have recovered from the virus, bringing the total number of people that have recovered in Qatar to 96,107. The total number of coronavirus-related deaths to date in Qatar to date is 138 after 4 deaths were recorded..
Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) warned Monday against excessive use of supplements without medical consultation, saying it could have dangerous side effects.
HMC said that with the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) saw a surge in promoting supplements on social media sites as an effective treatment and prevention method against the virus, which prompted some residents to rush to local pharmacies and stores to purchase Vitamin C and D, Zinc, and other supplements.
The MoPH recorded 600 new confirmed cases of coronavirus (Covid-19), and 1,005 cases recovered, bringing the total cure of disease in Qatar to 94,903 cases, in addition to recording a new death. The Ministry issued a statement regarding the developments of the Coronavirus in the State of Qatar, which included the following:
Coronavirus (COVID-19) tests for Qatar national teams' (Team Qatar) athletes and supporting staff, conducted over two days, were concluded at Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena.
407 athletes and staff members have undergone the tests over the past two days, of them 210 from nine sports associations (Swimming; Cycling; Special needs; Taekwondo; Shooting; Basketball; Handball; Table tennis and Gymnastics) were tested on the first day, while 179 from eight sports associations (Tennis; Athletics; Golf; Weight Lifting; Wrestling; Volleyball; Equestrian; Rugby; Hockey and Cricket) were tested on the second day.
Qatar affirmed it has a number of measures put in place to address the economic and social impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, especially on expatriate workers by adopting a package of incentives to support the private sector and ensure the sustainability of employment and the protection of wages.
This came in a speech delivered by Deputy Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Office at Geneva Abdullah Hamad Al Nuaimi during an interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the highest attainable standard of mental and physical health.
Within the framework of the continuous efforts to maintain public health and enhance services provided to citizens abroad to combat coronavirus (COVID-19), the MoPH announced that it approved four centres for Qatari citizens to take coronavirus (COVID-19) tests in the Republic of Turkey.
The Ministry said, in a statement today, that citizens in the Turkish territory can visit the following hospitals for a coronavirus (COVID-19) test and obtain a COVID-free certificate, noting that the certificate is valid for 48 hours only. The accredited hospitals are: Ankara Sehir hospital, Yesilkoy Murat Dilmener Emergency Hospital, Basaksehir Cam ve Sakura Sehir hospital and Kartal Dr. Litfi Kirdar hospital.
When the test is conducted in one of the accredited centres and the person found to be free of the virus, this qualifies him to obtain an exception from the mandatory hotel quarantine in the State of Qatar, provided that the certificate holder is committed to home-quarantine for a period of 14 days upon arrival in the State of Qatar after signing the pledge of the home-quarantine in accordance with the procedures and the standards set by the Ministry of Public Health.
The MoPH announced the registration of 616 new confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) bringing the total number of positive cases in Qatar to 99,799 and stated that 1,897 more people recovered from the virus, bringing the total number of people that have recovered in Qatar to 92,284. The total number of coronavirus-related deaths to date in Qatar to date is 128 after 5 deaths were recorded in the last 24 hours.
Msheireb Downtown Doha announced the reopening of retail and dining outlets to visitors in accordance with Phase 2 of gradual lifting of restrictions announced by the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management (SCCM).
Visitors can access 40 stores, restaurants and cafes at MDD, in addition to restaurants and lounges in the city's three hotels: Park Hyatt, Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Doha and Alwadi Hotel Doha MGallery. The Food and beverage outlets will now be able to provide dining-in options for all guests at a decreased capacity to maintain safe distancing as well as their normal take away and delivery services.
July 1 marked the start of phase 2 of the gradual lifting of COVID-19 restrictions in Qatar. Beaches across the country were reopened after an intensive cleaning campaign by the Ministry of Municipality and Environment. According to the decision by the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management, the beaches are reopened for people of all ages while continuing to practice social distancing, with play areas will remain closed.
This weekend, however, crowds have flocked to beaches across Qatar which raised concerns about whether precautionary measures such as maintaining physical distance.
Watch this video showing the crowds at Souq Wakrah beach. Majority of people commented that families/groups are not socially distanced, some argued they are socially distanced. What do you think? Are the beachgoers practicing enough physical distancing to maintain a safe space from each other?
View this post on InstagramA post shared by ILoveQatar.net official IG (@ilqlive) on
The MoPH announced 530 new confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) and 1,804 recovered cases during the last twenty-four hours, bringing the total number of people recovering from the disease in Qatar to 90,387, in addition to recording 2 deaths.
The Ministry issued a statement on the developments of (Covid-19) in Qatar, which included the following:
Qatar affirmed that the international community should not only focus on the current fight against the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and overlook efforts to resolve existing conflicts in the regions of the world.
Qatar said that strong global cooperation is necessary and that work must be done together to confront the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, but nonetheless, common and effective solutions must be found to the current crises and tensions in the world in order to stop hostilities and facilitate greater access to humanitarian relief. The coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic should not be allowed to create incentives to escalate violence, nor should conflict resolution efforts be delayed or postponed.
Katara announced Friday night that starting Saturday, July 4, 2020, entrance to Katara Beach will be through paid tickets according to the age groups.
The prices are as follows:
Announcement
— كتارا | Katara (@kataraqatar) July 3, 2020
Dear visitors, starting Saturday 4th July 2020, entrance to Katara Beach will be through paid tickets according to the age groups below:
18 years and above
Ticket price is Qr. 50
From 7 to 18 years
Ticket price is Qr. 25
Less than 7 year entry will be free#Qatar pic.twitter.com/uIqYuxCD7g
Talabat is proud to report that in conjunction with Qatar Charity, the organisation has distributed 10,000 meals to in-need communities as a result of the QAR 1 donation campaign.
The campaign, in which Talabat donated QAR 1 to Qatar Charity for every grocery order made through the Talabat app, encouraged customers to purchase their groceries online, in order to stay home and stay safe during the COVID-19 period. The donations equated to 10,000 meals, which were then distributed to the in-need communities in Qatar.
Qatari women have been working in the field of health, as doctors, nurses and leaders in important medical specializations, where they all have made efforts to combat the virus. These efforts have been led by H.E. Minister of Public Health Dr. Hanan Al Kuwari, who assumed her position in 2016 and previously held the position of Director General of Hamad Medical Corporation. Besides the efforts of the Minister of Public Health to tackle the coronavirus, Qatari women are in the forefront to overcome the pandemic crisis, whether in the health sector through working in the hospitals and health centres or through the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management, as H.E. Lolwah Rashid Al Khater is the Committee's Official Spokesperson, or as volunteers.
The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) announced coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Qatar.
Qatar Airways has increased its health and safety measures on board by introducing new personal protective equipment (PPE) for customers and cabin crew. The airline’s additional robust measures include offering face shields and protective kits to all passengers, in addition to a new protective gown for cabin crew.
The disposable face shield will be available in two standard sizes – one for adults and the other for children. The children’s face shields feature the airline’s Oryx Kids Club mascots as part of their design. Passengers travelling from Hamad International Airport (HIA) will receive their face shields at the check-in counters, whereas at other destinations, the face shields will be distributed at the boarding gates.
Onboard, all Qatar Airways passengers will be provided with a complimentary protective kit. Inside a ziplock pouch, they will find a single-use surgical face mask, large disposable powder-free gloves and an alcohol-based hand sanitiser gel. Business Class customers will also be offered an additional 75ml sanitiser gel tube.
Qatar Airways has also introduced new disposable protective gowns for cabin crew that are fitted over their uniforms, in addition to safety glasses, gloves and a mask. The new branded gowns are personalised with Qatar Airways’ logo imprinted on the top left corner.
The MoPH has issued guidelines for the precautionary measures for the second phase of lifting restrictions imposed by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The guidelines aim to provide guidelines based on research into best practices, to facilitate the safe return of activities gradually, while developing precautionary measures and measures that contribute to limiting the spread of the virus (COVID-19) and protecting the pioneers and employees in each agency from the risk of infection.
The guidelines include the most prominent procedures and guidelines to be implemented in gatherings, transportation, outdoor spaces, and professional sports, health, and education, business, and leisure, according to the requirements of each activity, with a focus on infection prevention and control, awareness of the pioneers and employees, and physical spacing guidelines to maintain a safe distance, in addition to It also provides guidance for groups most vulnerable to complications of the disease, such as the elderly and those with chronic diseases.
A special press conference was held Thursday evening by the Ministry of Public Health to discuss the latest developments and statistics related to Coronavirus (COVID-19). Here are the updates from Sheikh Dr. Mohammed bin Hamad Al Thani - Director of the Public Health Department.
The MoPH announced today's latest update on COVID-19 cases in Qatar.
Msheireb Downtown Doha (MDD) announced the reopening of retail and dining outlets to visitors in accordance with Phase 2 of gradual lifting of restrictions announced by the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management (SCCM).
Visitors can access 40 stores, restaurants and cafes at MDD, in addition to restaurants and lounges in the city's three hotels: Park Hyatt, Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Doha and Alwadi Hotel Doha MGallery. The Food and beverage outlets will now be able to provide dining-in options for all guests at a decreased capacity to maintain safe distancing as well as their normal take away and delivery services.
Qatar Airways network will expand to more than 430 weekly flights to over 65 destinations by mid-July. The national carrier of Qatar continues to lead the global recovery of the aviation industry, relaunching 11 more destinations on July 1, its largest single day of restarts, in what Qatar Airways has dubbed ‘Take-off Wednesday’. By mid-July, the airline’s network will expand to over 430 weekly flights to more than 65 destinations with the addition of flights to more destinations.
The Civil Aviation Authority issued guidelines for health and safety in the field of aviation, in cooperation with the competent authorities in the MoPH, in conjunction with the plan for the gradual lifting of restrictions imposed in Qatar due to coronavirus (COVID-19).
The authority clarified, in a statement, that the effort targets operators and service providers in the state, and those involved in the civil aviation industry. It aims to provide them with guidance on how to facilitate the safe and gradual recovery of air traffic flow management and the consequent increase in passenger transport.
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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