Qatar: Authorities to update entry measures from Feb. 28 /update 43

Event

Qatari authorities are to introduce updated international entry restrictions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic effective Feb. 28. The green, red, and exceptional red country list classification will be revised to 'standard health measures' and 'red health measures.'

Travelers will have to present a negative result from a PCR test taken no more than 48 hours before arrival. Qatari citizens and residents are exempt from this measure. If, however, they are unvaccinated and arriving from a country subject to red health measures, they will be required to undergo a PCR test no more than 48 hours before arriving in Qatar.

Fully vaccinated citizens and residents must take a Rapid Antigen Test within 24 hours of their arrival. Citizens who are unvaccinated or non-immune are required to take a PCR test within 24 hours of their arrival, in addition to a Rapid Antigen Test on day five of their home quarantine. This measure applies to citizens arriving from countries subject to standard health measures and red health measures.

Residents who are unvaccinated or non-immune arriving from a country subject to red health measures must take a Rapid Antigen Test on day 5 of their hotel quarantine.

Domestic Measures
The Ministry of Public Health has outlined COVID-19-related domestic measures applying to gatherings, transport, outdoor spaces, education and health settings, and business and leisure spaces. The following restrictions are among those in effect:

• Public transport can operate at a maximum capacity of 75 percent.

• Workplaces can operate at full capacity. Business meetings are limited to essential gatherings of up to 30 individuals.

• Public libraries and museums are open at full capacity to all individuals, regardless of their vaccination status.

• Restaurants and cafes certified by the Qatar Clean Program can operate at full capacity outdoors and, for vaccinated customers and their children under 12 years of age, at up to 75 percent capacity indoors. Restaurants that are not certified by the program can operate at up to 50 percent capacity outdoors and 40 percent capacity indoors.

• Commercial complexes can operate at full capacity. Food courts in malls can operate at up to 50 percent capacity.

• Social gatherings are limited to 50 people outdoors and 30 people indoors for vaccinated individuals.

• For unvaccinated individuals and mixed groups of vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, social gatherings are limited to 10 people outdoors and five people indoors.

• Authorization from the Ministry of Public Health must be secured before any conferences, exhibitions, or events are held. All authorized events are limited to a maximum capacity of 75 percent in open spaces and 50 in closed spaces, provided that 90 percent of attendees are fully vaccinated.

• Facemasks are mandatory in closed public spaces.

International Travel Restrictions
Until Feb. 28, the Qatari government continues to divide foreign countries into green, red, and exceptional red lists based on various COVID-19 risk factors and imposes international entry measures accordingly. Quarantine measures for travelers differ based on vaccination status. To view comprehensive details on testing and quarantine policies, click here.

To view the Ministry of Public Health's updated list of green countries, click here.

To view the Ministry of Public Health's updated list of red countries, click here.

To view the Ministry of Public Health's list of exceptional red countries, click here.

Currently, to enter Qatar, travelers must generally present a negative result from a PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before arrival. Also, under current directives, all travelers are subject to certain general pandemic-related policies in addition to tailored testing and quarantine measures based on country of origin, citizenship/residency, and vaccination status.

All nonresidents traveling to Qatar must pre-register on the "Travel entry into Qatar" portal and upload all relevant documents (e.g., vaccination certificate) at least three days before arrival. Travelers no longer need to upload a negative PCR test result as part of the registration process; travelers must instead present an original copy of a negative PCR test result to board any flight to Qatar or enter via land or maritime entry points. To access the government's pre-registration travel entry portal, click here.

Additionally, under current policy, most travelers to Qatar must complete and sign an affidavit attesting to certain aspects of their travel and vaccination status before arriving in the country. Authorities may require incoming travelers to present the affidavit form upon entry. To view the form, click here.

Persons entering Qatar must also download and activate the Ehteraz mobile application on their mobile device upon arrival using a local or international SIM card. Travelers who are only transiting via Doha are not required to apply to/download the Ehteraz mobile application; operations at Hamad International Airport (DOH) continue for transit passengers as normal, subject to entry restrictions at their final destination.

Authorities could introduce new preventive measures or amend existing restrictions, depending on disease activity, over the coming days and weeks.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions.

Resources

World Health Organization (WHO)
Qatari Ministry of Public Health