Qatar Begins Lifting Restrictions on May 28
The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) has announced a four-phase plan for the gradual lifting of restrictions currently in place to limit the spread of COVID-19. The first phase, beginning May 28, includes the following changes:
- Up to five vaccinated individuals may gather indoors and up to ten vaccinated individuals outdoors. Up to five non-vaccinated people are now permitted to gather outdoors.
- Up to five people or individuals from the same family will be allowed to gather at parks, beaches and corniche. Private beaches may open at 30% capacity.
- Shopping malls and souqs will continue to operate at a 30% capacity, but children below 12 years of age will not be allowed to enter.
- Restaurants and cafes will operate outdoors at 30% capacity, with indoor restaurants under Qatar Clean list permitted to operate at 30% capacity with exclusively vaccinated diners.
- Gyms may operate at 30% capacity on the condition that the staff and customers are fully vaccinated.
- Outdoor swimming pools and amusement parks will operate at a 30% capacity.
The Qatari Cabinet also announced that citizens and residents do not need to wear masks while driving with family members.
Policies relating to COVID-19 can change daily.
Ongoing Vaccination Efforts in Qatar
The Government of Qatar recently announced that parents of children 12 and over may register their child to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Qatari authorities report that over one million people have been vaccinated through their National COVID-19 Vaccination Program. More information about getting vaccinated in Qatar and receiving a COVID-19 vaccination certificate is available at the MOPH website.
Governments around the world, including Qatar, continue to make changes to public health and travel policies in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19. The Embassy recommends that all U.S. citizens in Qatar monitor changes in these policies and review them prior to travel. In addition to the MOPH COVID-19 website, U.S. citizens may wish to follow the MOPH on social media, as they consistently post announcements to sites like Facebook and Twitter. Keep in mind that these sites generally require users to have their own accounts to view information. All details mentioned above are subject to change by the government of Qatar.
For information on testing and quarantine requirements, please visit the Ministry of Health’s Travel and Return Policy page. All questions and inquiries about the new requirements should be directed to MOPH. Please note that the U.S. Embassy is not able to intercede in matters of quarantine, COVID-19 testing, and entering the country in individual cases.
Actions to Take:
- Consider following the Ministry of Public Health on Facebook or Twitter. Otherwise check their website frequently.
- For the most recent information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19 please see the CDC’s latest recommendations and consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information.
- Call the Qatar Ministry of Public Health hotline at 16000 if you experience flu-like symptoms.
- Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information.
- Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 for information on conditions in Qatar.
- Check with the airlines regarding any flight cancellations and/or restrictions on flying.