A Pcr Test For Expats And Citizens Vaccinated Before Arrival Has Been Scrapped In Qatar

After a sharp decline in COVID-19 infection rates in the country, Qatar has updated its travel and return policy to exempt its citizens and foreigners from pre-arrival PCR testing.

Media outlets in Qatar report the update will take effect Monday, February 28, at 7pm, as announced by the ministry.

Citizens and expatriates who have not been vaccinated or who are traveling from any of the countries on Qatar's Red List must undergo PCR testing 48 hours before departure.

Citizens and foreign residents of Qatar who have been fully immunized regardless of their departure countries are exempt from this requirement.

A significant drop in coronavirus infections in Qatar led to easing of coronavirus-related restrictions this month.

In this relaxation, the wearing of face masks in public places is no longer required, and gatherings are now allowed in public areas. In accordance with this regulation, citizens and expatriates only need to wear face masks in enclosed places such as mosques, educational institutions, and hospitals.

It is now illegal to have more than 150 fully vaccinated individuals and 20 unvaccinated individuals inside a wedding hall. At an outdoor hall, there can be 300 people vaccinated and 50 people unvaccinated.

In the meantime, commercial centers are allowed to reopen at full capacity, including entry to unvaccinated people.

Those restaurants and cafes with a Clean Qatar (Clean Qatar) certificate are also allowed to operate to full capacity indoors and 75 percent outside.

The remaining restaurants and cafes are able to operate at half of their normal capacity in open areas and 40 percent in enclosed areas, provided that all customers have been vaccinated. Under 12 year-olds can enter these places only with the accompaniment of a parent or guardian.

In Qatar, a country with a population of around 2.7 million, the easing of measures is seen as a step toward normalization.

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