Qatar: Authorities ease entry restrictions from November 29 /update 26

Event

Qatari authorities eased entry restrictions at the country's borders on Sunday, November 29, as part of the easing of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) restrictions. The quarantine period for all arrivals has been reduced to one week, with home quarantine available for arrivals from countries on the government's green list and hotel quarantining mandatory for all other arrivals. Those that use shared quarantine facilities must quarantine for two weeks. Additionally, residents currently in Qatar that wish to travel and return will receive an exceptional entry permit automatically upon departure. The permit will be available to download and print after the resident has departed Qatar. The automatic granting of a permit is not available for those currently outside of Qatar or that left before the implementation of the new scheme. All arrivals without a COVID-19 test from within 48-hours of arrival must be tested at an accredited testing center. A second test is required on the sixth day after arrival.

The wearing of face masks is mandatory in all public places, unless alone in a vehicle or exercising. It is also compulsory to download Qatar's contact tracing app, Ehteraz. Limited public transportation services resumed in September when Qatar moved to phase 4 of its reopening. Most public facilities and establishments have reopened with limits to capacity and opening hours. No more than four people are allowed in the same vehicle if not part of the same family. Gatherings of up to 15 people indoors and up to 30 outdoors may take place provided social distancing measures are respected.

As of Tuesday, December 1, there have been 138,833 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country, with 237 associated fatalities. Further international spread of the virus is expected in the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Since then, human-to-human transmission of the virus has been confirmed.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. Some patients may experience other symptoms such as body pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell or a rash on skin or discoloration of fingers or toes. These symptoms (in most cases mild) appear gradually. Generally, most patients (around 80 percent) recover from the disease without being hospitalized.

Advice

The measures adopted by local authorities are evolving fluidly, and are usually effective immediately. Authorities are likely to modify - at very short notice - the list of countries subject to border control measures on arrival to the territory. Potentially impacted travelers are advised to monitor the situation, confirm travel itineraries, and adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the virus.