COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in Qatar (24 November Update)

Can a resident enter the country?

• Yes with exceptions

• Qatari citizens, their spouses and children, and permanent residency holders can travel outside the country and return at any time, while adhering to all the aforementioned procedures and according to the countries of arrival.

• Residents’ entry will be organised based on a series of priorities, including public health indicators, the nature of the needs of the various government and semi-government sectors and humanitarian cases, and through submitting return requests for permits via the “Qatar Portal” website based on the above-mentioned priorities. The employer shall bear the costs of the quarantine..

Can a foreigner enter the country?

• No with exceptions

• Most foreign nationals are still prohibited 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 with exceptions

• Travelers returning from low-risk countries (Green List) must have COVID-19 test upon arrival at the airport and sign a Home Quarantine Undertaking to comply with the home quarantine procedure for a week, noting that their health status on Ehteraz’s application will be yellow, indicating that the individual is under quarantine. On the sixth day, the individual should visit one of the PHCC healthcare centres to re-test for COVID-19. If the test result is positive, the individual is isolated and their health status on Ehteraz will change to red. If it is negative, then the quarantine period is completed by the end of the seventh day and their health status on Ehteraz will change to green.

• The full list of low-risk (Green List) countries can be accessed here.

• If there are MOPH approved COVID-19 testing centres at the country of origin, a COVID-19-free certificate should be obtained from one of these centres to be exempted from testing at the airport. The Certificate should not exceed 48 hours before travel.

Test certificate required?

• Yes with exceptions

• If there are MOPH approved COVID-19 testing centres at the country of origin, a COVID-19-free certificate should be obtained from one of these centres to be exempted from testing at the airport. The Certificate should not exceed 48 hours before travel.

  • The list of COVID-19 testing centres is updated regularly on the Ministry of Public Health’s website.

Is quarantine required on arrival?

• Yes

• Everyone entering Qatar will have to undergo quarantine.

• Travelers returning from low-risk (Green List) countries must have COVID-19 test upon arrival at the airport and sign a Home Quarantine Undertaking to comply with the home quarantine procedure for a week, noting that their health status on Ehteraz’s application will be yellow, indicating that the individual is under quarantine. On the sixth day, the individual should visit one of the PHCC healthcare centres to re-test for COVID-19. If the test result is positive, the individual is isolated and their health status on Ehteraz will change to red. If it is negative, then the quarantine period is completed by the end of the seventh day and their health status on Ehteraz will change to green.

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

• Travelers from the other countries should be hotel quarantined at their own expense for a week. They should book a hotel quarantine for a week from the listed hotels on the “Discover Qatar” website. These individuals will require a COVID-19 re-test on day 6. If the result is negative, and the individual is asymptomatic, they are released from the hotel on the 7th day to continue the quarantine period at home for another seven days. Their health status on Ehteraz will remain yellow and will change back to green at the end of the quarantine period, which is 14 days in total.

• 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

• Minimal

• 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

• Masks are required

• Public transport is operating with a reduced capacity.

• Travellers must show a green status on the EHTERAZ App.

• The Doha Industrial Area opened, however, 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 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 up to a maximum of ten people.

• 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.

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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.