The Government Communications Office (GCO) recently announced on its website the changes in Exceptional Entry Permit (EEP).

This was in continuation of the procedures for gradually lifting the coronavirus restrictions imposed in Qatar and based on general epidemiological indicators locally and internationally and within the implementation of the previously announced travel and return policy to the State of Qatar. We have broken down the information from GCO to make it clearer for you.

Click here for the GCO announcement on the new changes in EEP: Changes in Exceptional Entry, quarantine for only one week regardless of destination: GCO

Government Communications Office statement on amending #Qatar’s travel policy during the gradual lifting of COVID-19 restrictions.https://t.co/OB8MxmdoJW

— مكتب الاتصال الحكومي (@GCOQatar) November 26, 2020

Click here for the new green-list countries: MOPH new list of low-risk countries

Q1: What is the change in EEP?

The new changes in EEP is that residents who are currently in the State of Qatar and wish to travel and return will automatically receive an exceptional entry permit upon departure.

Q2: Who is the new changes in EEP applicable to?

It is applicable to residents who are currently in Qatar.

Q3: Where can they obtain the EEP from?

Residents can obtain an exceptional entry permit from the Ministry of Interior's (MoI) website at any time.

As part of the travel and return procedures, residents exiting the country can print ‘exceptional return permit’ instantly from the Ministry of Interior website as soon as their exit movement is registered. This facility is in force since Sunday, November 29, 2020. #MoIQatar pic.twitter.com/Rh3w3JYVZj

— Ministry of Interior (@MOI_QatarEn) December 7, 2020

Q4: Will the residents still need to submit requests through Qatar Portal website?

Requests will no longer need to be submitted through the “Qatar Portal” website. The permit will be available automatically upon registration of the resident’s departure from Qatar.

Q5: Does the automatic EEP service include residents who are currently outside Qatar?

No, this new automatic exceptional entry permit service does not include residents who are currently outside Qatar and they are still required to obtain the exceptional return permit via the “Qatar Portal” website if they wish to return to Qatar.

Q6: Is there a COVID-19 test done upon arrival?

According to these new procedures, a COVID-19 test will be conducted for returnees on the first day of arrival (in the event that the examination is not carried out in the centres approved by the MoPH within 48 hours before travelling to Qatar). Then a second test for them on the sixth day of the date of arrival, knowing that the health status on the application of precaution will be yellow until the end of the seventh day from the date of arrival.

Q7: When will these decisions be implemented by?

These decisions were implemented as of Sunday, November 29, 2020

Q8: How long is the validity of the automatically issued EEP from November 29th?

The Exceptional Entry Permit (EEP) that is automatically issued is valid until the individual’s Qatar Residence Permit (QID) expires.

Q9: Is the validity of the automatic EEP the same for people returning from any country (both in the MoPH Green and non-Green list of countries)?

The destination does not matter as long as the individual returning to Doha has a valid QID.

Q10: For people coming back with children, above the age of 55, with chronic diseases etc, are they exempted from hotel quarantine and eligible for home quarantine? (non-green list countries)

The criteria for exemption from hotel quarantine remain unchanged from the previous announcements.

However, such individuals’ accommodation must be suitable for home quarantine, meaning a separate room with en-suite bathroom.

For more information on home quarantine requirements and guidance, please visit the MOPH Website: https://covid19.moph.gov.qa/EN/Home-Quarantine-Information/Pages/default.aspx

Q11: Who are exempted from hotel quarantine? (non-green list countries)

​The following vulnerable group returning from travel (Qatari and Residents) and their immediate family members living in the same household, including their domestic helpers returning with them are eligible for home quarantine:

1. Persons aged 55 years old and above.
2. Recipients of an organ or bone marrow transplant.
3. Patients with hypertension who are on treatment.
4. Patients with conditions that require immune-suppressive treatment.
5. Patients with heart failure or coronary artery disease.
6. Patients with moderate to severe asthma.
7. Cancer patients with metastasis and those on treatment (Chemotherapy or Radiotherapy).
8. Pregnant females (any trimester).
9. Nursing mothers with children aged 0-5 years.
10. Patients with End-Stage Renal Failure (ESRD) or on dialysis.
11. Patients with Chronic Liver Disease (CLD) and decompensation.
12. Patients with lower-limb amputations.
13. People with disabilities where they are dependent on others for their activities of daily living.
14. Children with disabilities and their mothers.
15. Patients with epilepsy and on treatment.
16. Patients with diabetic foot infections.
17. People with deceased first-degree relatives in the last ten days.
18. People with mental health problems on antipsychotic medications and whose condition is aggravated by staying in closed spaces.
19. Diabetic patients on treatment.
20. Minor travellers (below 18 years old) travelling without an accompanied guardian.​

Categories of exempted passengers can be found here, so please check for the latest updates.

Q12: What documents are required to be submitted for chronic diseases and pregnant ladies?

For returnees who need to have their quarantine destination determined by the HIA clinic team, the team will review or check each passenger against the approved exemption criteria.

For those passengers looking for an exemption based on a medical condition, the condition must be fully documented and diagnosed in the passenger’s electronic medical record, which the team has access to. (Medical reports issued from Qatari government hospitals are required and no other reports will be accepted.)

Q13: What are the steps to apply for EEP on MOI's Website?

1. Go to the Ministry of Interior website here: https://portal.moi.gov.qa/wps/portal/MOIInternet/MOIHome

2. Click on 'Inquiries'.

3. The next step is to click on 'Exit & Entry Permits'.

4. Now click on 'Print Exceptional REturn Permit'.

5. The last step is to fill in your QID number and residency expiry date, then submit the form. Now you can print the permit.

Q14: Where to book hotel quarantine?

Please book via Discover Qatar website for hotel quarantine before your departure to Qatar.

Source: GCO, MOI, MOPH

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Vrinda Abilash

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