Following the Cabinet's decision to require the wearing of masks in closed public places, the Ministry of Public Health called on all members of the community to abide by the new precautionary measures to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus, in accordance with the decision of the esteemed Council of Ministers.

Related: Rise in COVID-19 cases in Qatar expected in the coming weeks

The Ministry stressed the need for all members of the community to follow the new precautionary measures against the Covid-19 epidemic, particularly on the wearing of masks, given the marked increase in the number of covid-19 infections in the past few weeks.

The Ministry of Public Health noted that masks, if properly worn, are effective tools to prevent the spread of the virus.

The Ministry called on members of the community to play their active role in curbing the current spread of the Covid-19 epidemic by:

• Get all doses of prescribed vaccines against Covid-19 infection, including the proven effective and safe dose of the vaccine.
• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water and use sterile hands.
• Avoid physical contact when meeting and greeting others and refrain from shaking hands with others and kissing them.
• Follow the customary manners of coughing and sneezing, by covering the nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing with you or using paper napkins and disposing of them appropriately.
• Avoid being in crowded and low-ventilation places as much as possible.
• Download the Ehteraz app and show green health status on this app when you access indoor public spaces.

The Ministry of Public Health also stressed the need to obtain all doses of prescribed vaccines, explaining that more than 1.7 million people in Qatar have received the enhanced or booster dose of the vaccine against covid-19 infection and that individuals over the age of 12 who have been through the second dose of the vaccine for six months or more are eligible for the enhanced antiviral dose.

The Ministry noted that the fourth dose of the vaccine is now available to people aged 50 & over and patients with chronic diseases that have an increased risk of having severe complications of Covid-19 infection regardless of the age groups of these patients. The fourth dose is given to people most at risk four months after receiving the third dose of the vaccine (enhanced or booster dose) against covid-19 or exposure to Covid-19 infection.

Relared: MOPH answers FAQs about COVID-19 Booster Vaccination Dose

The Ministry reported that people who do not receive the enhanced or booster dose against COVID-19 or delay receiving it for a long time are less immune to the disease and more likely to be infected and hospitalized, noting that relevant research has shown that after administering 6.5 million doses of covid-19 vaccine in Qatar and 12 billion doses worldwide, these vaccines have been found to protect against serious complications or death from infection and that these vaccines are safe and highly effective.

Related stories:

• MOPH release precautionary advice for travellers during Eid
• Immunity after COVID-19 booster dose or recovery extended to 12 months: MOPH

Source: Ministry of Public Health
Cover image credit: Shutterstock

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Tracy Quirino

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