COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in Qatar (19 November Update)

Can a resident enter the country?

• Yes

• Citizens and residents can freely depart from or return to Qatar.

Can a foreigner enter the country?

• No, with exceptions

• Most foreign nationals are still barred from entering.

Is transit allowed through the country?

• Yes

• Transit flights are operating.

• Hamad International Airport is open for transit flights.

• All transiting travellers will need to go through thermal screening and temperature checks.

Is a test required on arrival?

• Yes

• Travellers from low-risk countries must be tested for COVID-19 upon arrival.

• The full list of low-risk countries can be accessed here.

• Anyone from other countries not included in the low-risk-country category must have a negative COVID-19 test certificate issued within the last 48-hours prior to their arrival by an approved testing facility of the departure country. Such incoming international passengers will be tested upon arrival if their COVID-19 certificate is invalid.

Test certificate required?

• Anyone from other countries not included in the low-risk-country category must have a negative COVID-19 test certificate issued within the last 48-hours prior to their arrival by an approved testing facility of the departure country. Such incoming international passengers will be tested upon arrival if their COVID-19 certificate is invalid.

Is quarantine required on arrival?

• Yes

• Travellers arriving from a low-risk country will be assigned to a 7-day quarantine. A second test will be done on the seventh day. If found positive, the traveller will be transferred to a government-run isolation facility. The list of low-risk countries will be reviewed every two weeks. The full list of low-risk countries can be accessed here.

• All travellers from countries not on the low-risk list will be assigned to a 7-day quarantine at a government facility and another seven days home quarantine. More tests may be administered prior to exiting quarantine.

• These quarantine measures will remain in place until 31 December.

Entry form required?

• Yes

• Arrivals are required to fill a Health Assessment Form upon arrival.

Recommended Border App

• Yes

• The EHTERAZ mobile application is mandatory and must be installed on mobile phones. The app will track COVID-19 transmission chains and will give testing and medical information.

Airline restrictions

• Moderate

• International and domestic commercial flights are operating.

• Inbound flights from low-risk countries are allowed.

• Cargo flights are operating

• Health screening measures are in place at all the entry ports including airports.

• Flight services to Miami (USA), with two weekly flights, resumed on 14 November as well as increasing the weekly flight frequencies to both Chicago (ORD) and New York (JFK).

• Qatar Airways is set to resume flights to Ukraine from 18 December. There will be three weekly flights (Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday) to Kyiv (Ukraine) and Doha at least until 4 January 2021. Additional flights will also be added on Mondays.

Border restrictions

• Moderate

• Travel outside Qatar is allowed. However, travellers will be subject to quarantine upon their return at their own expense.

• Travellers with expired “Exceptional Entry Permits” can extend the validity of the permit for 30 days.

Curfew restrictions

• Moderate

• Authorities began easing restrictions in four phases. The second stage of the four phases is in effect.

• There is no curfew in place in Qatar.

• There are police checkpoints and mobile patrols to ensure the public is following restrictions. Anyone found violating the rules could be subject to penalties.

Social distancing restrictions

• Moderate

• Gatherings should not exceed 15 people indoors and 30 people outdoors.

Internal travel restrictions

• Moderate

• Buses and metro services have resumed with limited capacity.

• Travellers who want to use the buses and metros must show a green status on the EHTERAZ App and wear face masks.

• Public transport is operating with a reduced capacity.

• The Doha Industrial Area opened, but visitors must have a permit from local authorities.

Non-essential shops open?

• Yes

• Commercial sectors are open from 07:00 to 20:00.

• Souks and wholesale markets are open.

• Shopping centres and malls are allowed to reopen during normal hours. Malls can resume services with a limited capacity.

Accommodations open?

• Yes

• Hotels are open.

Restaurants open?

• Yes

• Restaurants can open with a limited capacity.

Beaches and tourism sites open?

• Yes

• Beaches are open.

Museums and heritage sites open?

• Yes

• Museums are open with restricted hours and restricted capacity.

Personal care services open?

• Yes

• Health clubs, beauty/barber shops, hair stylists, and massage parlours are open with limited capacity.

Places of worship open?

• Yes

• Mosques are open for daily and Friday prayers.

Events allowed?

• Yes

• Events, such as weddings, should not exceed 40 people indoors and 80 people outdoors.

Masks required in public?

• Yes

• Everyone is required to wear a face mask in public, except when driving alone in their cars. Violators may be fined or imprisoned.

Other

• Cinemas and theatres are allowed to open with a limited capacity.

• Gyms, salons, and pools are allowed to reopen.

• Parks are open for exercise. Children below 12 are restricted.

• Professional sports training has resumed. Professional training with a maximum of ten people is allowed.

• Sporting events can be resumed with spectators at a limited capacity indoors and outdoors.

• Government offices have opened.

• Workplaces can increase the numbers of employees on-site to a limited capacity with strict health precautions.

• Libraries can open with full capacity and normal hours.

• Childcare facilities and nurseries are open.

• Private health clinics can resume services at full capacity.

Conseils

The COVID-19 epidemic is changing constantly worldwide. This information is subject to change as the situation evolves. Travel and border restrictions may change with little or no notice. Some countries are beginning to remove some restrictions gradually. Check with your airline, booking agent, or country’s embassy for information on your specific travel plans.