Coronavirus and Return to Campus Information

Please refer to this webpage for the operating status and updates from VCUarts Qatar as well as wellness guidelines related to the current worldwide impact of the Coronavirus, COVID-19.

Update: Feb 27, 2022
The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has announced a set of updates to its COVID-19 Travel and Return Policy. The policy updates come into effect from Monday, February 28 at 7pm Qatar time.
Information on the updates can be found in the images below.

More information can be found at this link
https://covid19.moph.gov.qa/EN/travel-and-return-policy/Pages/default.aspx

January 28, 2022: COVID-19 Restrictions, Testing Protocol Updates

Qatar's COVID-19 precautionary measures are being updated from January 29, 2022. It is vital that these measures are followed by all, to stop the spread of COVID-19 and ensure the safety of all members of the community.

More information is available in the images below.

A full list of restrictions can be found at this link https://covid19.moph.gov.qa/EN/Precautions-for-lifting-restrictions/Pages/default.aspx

Tips on how to protect yourself and others against COVID-19 can be found in the below image.

Travelers retuning to Qatar who are required to have a COVID-19 test following arrival back in Qatar should have a Rapid Antigen Test (not PCR) at an authorized medical center.

More information is available at these links:
COVID-19 Testing FAQs https://covid19.moph.gov.qa/EN/covid19-testing/Pages/FAQs.aspx
Qatar Travel and Return Policy https://covid19.moph.gov.qa/EN/travel-and-return-policy/Pages/default.aspx

Testing Protocol and Testing Center
The MoPH has announced updates to the COVID-19 Testing Protocol. A new Drive-Through Testing Center in Lusail has also opened to expand capacity and enhance accessibility for COVID-19 swabbing.

The new 10-lane drive-through center will provide PCR tests (not Rapid Antigen Tests, which will continue to be provided at PHCC) with the capacity to swab up to 5,000 people a day. The center will be open 7 days a week from 8am to 10pm and will continue to operate as a PCR test center while demand for COVID-19 remains exceptionally high due to the Omicron wave.

The MoPH also announced a set of updates to its COVID-19 testing protocol to enhance access to COVID-19 tests and ensure tests are processed in the most efficient and effective manner.

More information can be found at this link https://www.moph.gov.qa/english/mediacenter/News/Pages/NewsDetails.aspx?ItemId=457 and in the images below.

The Lusail COVID-19 Drive-Through Offers Booster Vaccination and Testing. More information is available in the below image.

Anyone aged 12 years and above who had their second dose more than six months ago is eligible for the booster dose. More information about vaccine effectiveness can be found in the below image.

Home Isolation Information

Update: The Ministry of Public Health has reduced the mandatory period of isolation and sick leave for confirmed COVID-19 cases from 10 days to 7 days. Please the image below for more information.

The MoPH has published information on mild, moderate and severe symptoms of the COVID-19 Omicron variant and the recommended actions to take. Please the images below for the recommended actions.

If someone has tested positive for COVID-19 during the Omicron wave, when can they have their booster dose?

The MoPH has announced that COVID-19 recovered patients who have been infected in the last 12 months are entitled to the same privileges as vaccinated people under the current COVID-19 restrictions. More information is available in the image below.

The Ehteraz app

The Ehteraz app is mandatory for all residents and visitors aged 18 years or above, and anyone 12 years and above if they are traveling/accessing locations without an adult.

It is available to be downloaded from the App Store and Google Play. To display the health status and other relevant information, the registration needs to be completed. Selecting the method of registration includes entering a QID/passport/visa/GCC ID number, dependent on whether you are a resident or visitor to Qatar.

The MoPH has created a guide about the Ehteraz which can be found at this link.

It provides information on the Health Status display, such as your previous COVID-19 test status, information on your Vaccination Status, and what the various color codes mean. It also has a useful question and answer section.

Feb 14, 2022
Ehteraz has been updated with a Recovered Status icon. See more in the image below.

Rapid Antigen Tests
Rapid Antigen Tests Linked to Ehteraz at 101 Authorized Private Medical Facilities.

More information about the facilities can be found in the below images.

Travel and Return Policy
From January 30 2022 at 7pm, changes to Qatar’s Country Lists based on COVID-19 risk in its Travel and Return Policy will come into effect.

As you are all aware by now, Qatar has classified countries into two lists, Green and Red, in addition to a secondary list of Exceptional Red Countries based on international and local health risk indicators and the epidemiology of COVID-19 in the different countries.

Links to the updated country lists (effective January 30 at 7pm Doha time) can be found below:

Green List countries: https://covid19.moph.gov.qa/EN/Documents/PDFs/GREEN-LIST-COUNTRIES.pdf
Red List countries: https://covid19.moph.gov.qa/EN/Documents/PDFs/RED-LISTED-COUNTRIES.pdf
Exceptional Red List countries: https://covid19.moph.gov.qa/EN/Documents/PDFs/HIGH-RISK-LIST-COUNTRIES.pdf

More information on the Travel and Return Policy can be found at this link https://covid19.moph.gov.qa/EN/travel-and-return-policy/Pages/default.aspx

Please read the information at the above links if you are outside of Qatar, and are returning by or after 7pm on Jan 30 2022.

Please note: You must take a COVID-19 test within 36 hours of arriving in Qatar. Do not return to campus until you have received a negative result or are feeling unwell, even if you are not displaying the usual symptoms of COVID-19.

If you are feeling unwell and are displaying symptoms of COVID-19, please call the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) hotline at 16000 immediately and follow their guidance. More information can be found by clicking on the links at the top of this page.

Students with any questions or concerns should contact our COVID-19 response team using this confidential email address: vcuqcovid@vcu.edu

Vaccination Second Dose Validity Change
The MoPH has announced that there is clear medical evidence that protective immunity from COVID-19 infection begins to decline six months after the second dose of an approved vaccine. In order to ensure the health and safety of the population, has changed the vaccine validity of COVID-19 immunity from 12 months to nine months following the second dose.

The change comes into effect on February 1 2022 and means that individuals whose second COVID-19 vaccine dose of Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna or AstraZeneca was more than nine months ago on February 1 2022 will be considered unvaccinated and will lose their Gold Frame (immunized) status on Ehteraz. Receiving a booster vaccine dose will reinstate their Gold Frame status for a further nine months.

If you have not received a booster vaccine, then we strongly encourage you to do so as soon as possible. Booster vaccines are available at all Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) health centers and PHCC is directly contacting people who are eligible for the booster vaccine dose to set an appointment. Anyone who is eligible and has not yet been contacted can call the PHCC hotline on 4027 7077 or use the PHCC’s mobile app, Nar’aakom, to schedule an appointment.

We will shortly send an update on any possible changes in instructional modality once recommendations are provided to us from the government and in cooperation with QF and other partner universities.

Update: August 30, 2021.
All instruction has been moved online until September 5, when in-person instruction will begin. More information can be found in the messages below.

VCUarts Qatar recognizes the importance of protecting the health and safety of its community while maintaining its academic mission and physical presence within the VCUarts Qatar building.

This is particularly true because the situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to develop and the future of the pandemic remains unclear.

Please find below information on the phased opening of VCUarts Qatar during the first few weeks of the 2021/22 academic year.

Academic Instruction and Returning to the Building - Update August 30, 2021.
Fall semester 2021 academic instruction began on August 22, 2021.

While the first two weeks were based on an online mode of instruction (August 22—September 2), the remainder of the semester will be based on the in-person modality of instruction (September 5—December 9).

During the first two weeks, students may access the VCUarts Qatar building from 7am – 9pm.

Starting on September 5, 2021, classes will be held in the in-person/in-classroom modality, with a handful of exceptions. Those exceptions include a few lecture courses offered in “online zoom/synchronous”- and a few in “online/asynchronous”-modality.

The FabLab, PrintLab, WoodShop, and FlexLab will be open to faculty, staff and students by appointment.

The Art and Design Library and the Materials Library will be accessible to students, faculty, and staff. Beginning September 5, the Art and Design Library will be open from 9am-5pm; the Materials Library will be open from 10am-5pm. Students, staff, and faculty may also request books from the Art and Design Library.

From August 23 to September 4, requested items may be picked up from the building’s main Security Desk. From September 5 requested books may be picked up from the Art and Design Library's information desk. Books may be returned to the portable book drop located just inside the building's main doors or, during hours of operation, to the Art and Design Library.

The online collections of the VCUarts Qatar Art and Design Library remain available to students and faculty 24/7 and may be accessed through the library's discovery platform.

Accessing the Building

In accordance with MoPH guidelines, employees/students/visitors are required to show their vaccination status through their EHTERAZ app or a rapid antigen test completed in the last seven days to the security guards at the main entrance, as well as to have their temperature taken prior to entry into the building.

In June of 2020, the MoPH published Precautions Guidelines for Lifting of COVID-19 Restrictions- Phase 1, which denies entry to a building if a person has a temperature above 38 degrees Celsius, or if the EHTERAZ app indicates Yellow, Grey, or Red; these rules continue in the current phase of reopening.

VCUarts Qatar’s community will also be required to either swipe their university issued ID on a card reader, or sign-into the building using their own pen, and to wear a face covering while in the building unless in a private office with the door closed or seated and socially distanced when consuming food/beverages.

Traffic flow measures are in place throughout the building as well as furniture arrangements in studios, classrooms, and the Cafeteria which support social distancing requirements.

The EHTERAZ application must continue to be activated on leaving your home, and displaying a green health status will remain necessary to access all QF premises.

We urge every member of our community to continue observing the public health guidelines outlined by the State of Qatar in the interests of your own safety and that of others.

Everyone in the building will be required to wear a mask at all times in public spaces.

Access Update: November 23, 2021
The main entrance is again being used for entry AND exit to VCUarts Qatar.

Please pay attention to the barriers at the main entrance and respect the two-way system. This will also reduce walking time to the tram stop in front of the LAS building.

Faculty, students, staff and visitors should ensure all drivers are aware of this important change and that they can NO LONGER IDLE at the emergency exit doors next to the Library. All drivers should park and wait at the ceremonial court parking lot and only approach the facility when you are at the lobby waiting for departure.

Attempting to open the emergency exit doors next to the Library WILL SOUND AN ALARM.

Should an emergency arise, such as a fire, all building doors will unlock automatically, and the building will be evacuated.

A map of the VCUarts Qatar building can be found at this link.

USEFUL LINKS
Qatar Ministry of Public Health
https://www.moph.gov.qa/english/Pages/Coronavirus2019.aspx

World Health Organization, Coronavirus
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

COVID-19 Coronavirus
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

United States State Department Emergency Alert: Novel Corona Virus
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/ea/novel-coronavirus-hubei-province--china.html

What kinds of services can Global Rescue provide me with?
A wide variety of services: medical/legal/embassy locator, interpreter (via phone), advance of emergency cash, assistance with insurance claims – and they can do all of these things remotely, which is of great value to the community.

Is it possible to be evacuated from Qatar during this period of partial lockdown?
Medical evacuation is not available if you are COVID-19 positive.

--Global Rescue and Coronavirus Quarantine Policies:

In an attempt to control the spread of the COVID‐19 outbreak, many countries are enforcing mandatory quarantines for travelers who may have been exposed to the virus.
Global Rescue recommends that before departure, travelers carefully review the coronavirus control policies of their destination and defer travel if there is a chance of being quarantined.
Global Rescue strongly supports the international effort to control the spread of coronavirus. If a Global Rescue member is quarantined, Global Rescue will continue to provide medical and other advisory services. However, medical evacuation is not possible during a mandated quarantine period.

There are exceptions. However, those would have to be agreed upon by the authorities allowing a medevac flight to land and the hospital of choice of the member accepting the transfer during the pandemic.

Is there any possibility that if the situation here worsens (aka uncontrolled outbreak with medical equipment shortages as a hypothetical) that it could be seen as dangerous and therefore better for expats to be evacuated out of the region – and in that case would Global Rescue get involved?
That is outside of the scope of the contract with Global Rescue. Also, in the case of a major outbreak in Qatar the likelihood of anyone in the country being allowed to leave and spread the disease would be low.

The advice would be to shelter in place – and it is best to prepare for any eventuality by having a good supply of food, water, medications and personal items to enable self-sufficiency for you and your family.

What is meant by a Security Evacuation?
A security evacuation is undertaken in the case of a conflict/war in the region, and is not related to a pandemic. In the case of a security evacuation, individuals will be evacuated to the closest safe haven (a nearby city or country not involved in the conflict)

Is the US embassy advising all American citizens abroad to return home?
US Embassy: https://qa.usembassy.gov/global-level-4-health-advisory-avoid-all-international-travel/
In countries where commercial departure options remain available, U.S. citizens who live in the United States should arrange for immediate return to the United States, unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period.

Americans who have a Qatar ID are considered to be living/working abroad. The advisory for immediate return to the USA was targeted to travelers, and was not intended as advice to expats working abroad to return home.

Can I return home for the summer as the Embassy is saying that US citizens who live abroad should avoid all international travel?
We cannot tell our community what to do; it is up to each individual to make this choice for themselves.

Please refer to the information under the section below titled, "Qatar’s Travel and Return Policy during COVID-19."
More information about the travel policy can be found at this link, which explains the measures being put in place.
The MoPH has a list of countries classified as at Low Risk of COVID-19. It can be found at this link. Please note that the list of Low Risk countries will be reviewed every two weeks.

Which websites have the most up to date information from the Qatar government about COVID-19 rules and directives?
Authority in the state of Qatar resides with Qatar’s government. All published rules are subject to change without notice. VCUarts Qatar strives to keep you up-to-date on all developments. However, this may not always be possible. Please reference only official resources such as the following:
www.moph.gov.qa
www.gco.gov.qa
www.moi.gov.qa

Can I return to campus to work or to get some of my supplies?
At this point in time, you cannot work in the building. You can access it to quickly pick up something that you need.

Notify your supervisor of your need to access VCUarts Qatar.
Your supervisor will send an email to Andrea (akcecetka@vcu.edu) stating the day of access and authorizing any removal of IT equipment and/or furniture. Requests must be made at least 24 hours in advance.
Building access will only be granted though the main entrance after showing your QF ID and signing into the building. QF Security will only grant you access on the day that was requested by your supervisor during normal business hours (Sun-Thurs, 8am-5pm).

Is our building being cleaned and disinfected?
Qatar Foundation is working closely with VCUarts Qatar on building access and disinfection plans which will take place on a large-scale prior to the re-opening of Education City.

How will we be communicated with if there is a loss of power, connectivity by phone or internet?
In the event we lose connectivity by internet/phone, VCUarts Qatar will revert to communicating with employees in person, if movement is permitted by the government. Using each employee’s address, individuals from VCUarts Qatar’s Crisis Management Team (CMT), communications, and administration would be tasked with delivering critical information to addresses based on physical location. This would be done in full consideration of social distancing requirements.

If the government indicates that movement from place to place is not allowed or advisable, then we will expect that each individual/family will have made arrangements to be self-sufficient and to shelter in place until the situation improves and you can be reached.

What would happen to our family if we tested positive for COVID-19?
According to the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH), if one family member tests positive for COVID-19, MOPH would place the entire household under quarantine and that it is highly unlikely that they would separate family members without testing everyone in the same household. However, if both parents tested positive and the children tested negative, then the MOPH expects the family to make arrangements with a relative or friend to take care of their children while the parents are in quarantine.

While VCUarts Qatar is not legally responsible for taking care of an employee's dependents or children; as colleagues and members of the VCUarts Qatar community, we will definitely extend any support that may be needed. To ensure that VCUarts Qatar has updated emergency contact information, please update your information within the Emergency Management database which can be found on the intranet.

As communicated by Dean Berbić in the VCUarts Qatar Alert message dated March 23, the decision to travel to your home country is a personal choice that each of us must make for our own reasons. However, please be assured that we will be flexible and understanding given these extraordinary circumstances.

Please be advised that the MoPH call center is available 24X7 and can be reached at 16000. In addition, please feel free to contact Human Resources if you have any further questions. We are here to offer all the support we can to the best of our abilities.

Qatar’s Travel and Return Policy during COVID-19

The MoPH has a list of countries classified as at Low Risk of COVID-19. It can be found at this link. Please note that the list of Low Risk countries will be reviewed every two weeks.

As part of Qatar’s plans for the gradual lifting of restrictions imposed to respond to COVID-19 pandemic, the previously announced travel and return policy was reviewed. It was agreed to continue the implementation of the same policy with minor amendments effective on, October 22, 2020. The policy includes the following:

First: Traveling Abroad Policy:

Citizens and Residents can travel abroad at any time, provided they adhere to the travel and return policy.
Those wishing to travel must be aware of the precautionary measures implemented in the country they plan to visit in terms of quarantine policy, its duration, and the requirement to provide a COVID19-free certificate.
Employees must coordinate with their employers about the dates of their travel and return to Qatar. They should consider the quarantine period when planning their trip.

Second: Return and Entry Policy:

Testing and Quarantine Policies:
- Travelers returning from low-risk 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 centers 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. It should be noted that the COVID-19 Green List will be published on the Ministry of Public Health’s website and announced by the Civil Aviation Authority. The COVID-19 Green List will be reviewed and updated regularly based on public health indicators in Qatar and around the world.
- Travelers from the other countries, where approved COVID-19 testing centers are not in place, 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 six. If the result is negative, and the individual is asymptomatic, they are released from the hotel on the seventh 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.
- If there are MOPH approved COVID-19 testing centers at the country of travel, a COVID-19-free certificate should be obtained from one of these centers to be exempted from testing at the Airport. The Certificate should not exceed 48 hours before travel, noting that the list of COVID-19 testing centers is updated regularly on the Ministry of Public Health’s website.
- In the case of home quarantine, the accommodation conditions should be suitable and have a separate room with its ensuite bathroom. If the accommodation is not appropriate, one of the hotel quarantine packages must be booked for the quarantine period through the “Discover Qatar” website. People must adhere to the home quarantine guidelines to protect themselves and their family.
- If the traveler was a minor, their official guardian should sign the Home Quarantine Undertaking.
Citizens, their Spouses and Children, Permanent Residency Holders, and GCC Citizens:
- Citizens, their spouses and children, permanent residency holders, and GCC citizens can return to Qatar at any time, provided that they adhere to the travel and return policies according to the countries of travel.
- Citizens, their spouses and children, permanent residency holders, and GCC citizens shall bear the cost of the hotel quarantine for a week, provided that the booking is made through “Discover Qatar.” If the individual’s accommodation condition doesn’t meet the home quarantine criteria, the hotel booking should be for two weeks.
- Patients receiving treatment abroad at the expense of the State, along with their escorts, shall be exempted from the cost of the hotel quarantine. The same applies to the employees who are on official missions, provided that the hotel quarantine conditions applies.
Residents:
- Residents were allowed to return to Qatar on August 1 by applying for an “Exceptional Entry Permit” through the “Qatar Portal” website.
- The employer should submit an “Exceptional Entry Permit” application for the company/ institute’s employees electronically via the “Qatar Portal” website. A similar process applies to domestic workers.
- The employer shall bear the costs of the quarantine in the dedicated facilities for two weeks, provided that the booking is made through the “Discover Qatar” website.
Vulnerable Groups Eligible for Home Quarantine:

The following vulnerable groups returning from travel (Qatari and Residents) and their immediate family members living in the same household, including their domestic helpers returning with them are eligible for home quarantine:

Persons aged 55 years old and above.
Recipients of an organ or bone marrow transplant.
Patients with hypertension who are on treatment.
Patients with conditions that require immune-suppressive treatment.
Patients with heart failure or coronary artery disease.
Patients with moderate to severe asthma.
Cancer patients with metastasis and those on treatment (Chemotherapy or Radiotherapy).
Pregnant females (any trimester).
Nursing mothers with children aged 0-5 years.
Patients with End-Stage Renal Failure (ESRD) or on dialysis.
Patients with Chronic Liver Disease (CLD) and decompensation.
Patients with lower-limb amputations.
People with disabilities where they are dependent on others for their activities of daily living.
Children with disabilities and their mothers.
Patients with epilepsy and on treatment.
Patients with diabetic foot infections.
People with deceased first-degree relatives in the last 10 days.
People with mental health problems on antipsychotic medications and whose condition is aggravated by staying in closed spaces.
Diabetic patients on treatment.
Minor travelers (below 18 years old) traveling without an accompanied guardian.

Third: Ehteraz App. Policy:

Travelers returning to the State of Qatar must download and activate the Ehteraz app on their mobiles upon arrival at Hamad International Airport. The following requirements must be met to achieve that:
- A Qatari SIM Card from a local telecom operator (Ooredoo and Vodafone).
- Internet access.
- A smartphone that supports either Android 6 and up or IOS 13.5 and up.
Download the application on your mobile phone either via Google Play or Apple App Store or from any search engines on the internet.
Diplomats, holders of MOFA issued administrative cards, and VVIP visitors are exempted.
Health status on Ehteraz will remain yellow until the completion of the full quarantine course (7 or 14 days) and a negative COVID-19 result is obtained as per the quarantine policy for the travel and entry policy above.

It should be noted that the process of issuing return permits for residents will continue through the “Qatar Portal” website until the need to organize the entry process ends, based on the status of the public health indicators in Qatar and around the world.

For more information, you can contact the relevant entities responsible for each process, and they are as follow:

For the “Exceptional Entry Permit”, please visit the “Qatar Portal” website, or call on (109) inside Qatar or (+974 44069999) outside Qatar.
For Hotel Quarantine Package Booking, please visit the “Discover Qatar” website or call on (+974 4423 7999).
For Quarantine or Ehteraz application, call the hotline (16000) or the Governmental Health Communication Center through the Ministry of Public Health Website .

A list of health facilities that have been approved by the MoPH to make PCR tests for the COVID-19 virus, as of October 12, 2020.

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,

The constantly evolving situation in Qatar and worldwide concerning efforts to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic has meant that updates and announcements on various regulations and initiatives are being published throughout the day and night.

The information is being disseminated across multiple platforms at different times, and we acknowledge that it can be challenging to keep abreast of all the updates.

With this in mind, our Crisis Management Team (CMT) is endeavoring to provide the most up-to-date information on the current situation in Qatar and abroad.

Please note that the information provided below comes only from official sources and is offered for the purposes of guidance only.

We also ask that you exercise careful and informed judgment at all times when dealing with any aspects related to the COVID-19 outbreak in any situation or location.

Please contact our CMT at vcuqalert@vcu.edu if you see something that you have seen online, or heard about, and would like clarification on. They will be happy to review the information and let you know if the information appears to be true or false.

Essential Information
No curfew or lockdown has been announced.

There are strict and enforced regulations in place regarding

The general rule is stay at home with your own family (those that usually live with you) and do not have outside visitors, cleaners etc. inside your home.
Avoid non-essential travel – limit your trips to the grocery store, pharmacy, and for health visits only, and as infrequently as possible.
When queuing at stores etc. you must keep a 1.5 meter distance from others - stores have placed floor stickers to enable this practice.
All gatherings are against the law for any reason - see the advisory from the government below
Meetings must be held using teleconferencing technology. Only absolutely essential meetings that cannot take place in any other way are to take place in person and these should be five or fewer people.

On May 18, 2020 the Council of Ministers announced new precautionary decisions and measures to reduce the outbreak of Coronavirus COVID-19. All citizens and residents are obligated to install the EHTERAZ app on smartphones when leaving the house for any reason. All citizens and residents are obligated not to have more than two people in the vehicle and a maximum of three are allowed in the following cases: A- Transportation in taxis and limousines. B- Transfer in private vehicles when driven by the driver of the family. More information is available in the image below

Starting from Sunday, May 17, 2020 wearing face masks is mandatory for all upon leaving house for any reason, except in the case when a person is alone while driving a vehicle. The Ministry of Interior is authorized to take necessary measures in this regard.

A guide to Contact Tracing from the Ministry of Public Health.

In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, PHCC has dedicated four of its health centers as COVID-19 test and hold centers. The four centers are: Muaither, Rawdat Al Khail, Um Slal, and Gharafat Al Rayyan health centers. You will now be able to attend a COVID-19 Test and Hold centre as a walk-in patient to be swabbed if you are displaying coronavirus centers.

In compliance with the Ministry of Public Health directive of May 13, 2020, to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection spread, all routine appointments are canceled and services are limited to urgent and emergency visits for adults only during this period of the pandemic. More information can be found in this link to the Hamad Dental Center website and in the image below.

Please see below the announcement from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on the decision to suspend all commercial and service activities during the Eid Al-Fitr holiday, with the exception of specific sectors and activities.

The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has provided guidance on how to protect yourself while grocery shopping. Please see the images below

The image below offers precautionary measures to be followed when using home delivery services.

The working hours of companies and commercial shops have also changed, but vital services such as pharmacies, petrol stations, food stores, are exempted from the decision.
You can see more in the image below:

Travel

Qatar Airways and Hamad International Airport.
Entry to Qatar is only allowed for Qatari nationals who will be required to enter quarantine for a period of 14 days. However, access into Qatar is, for the time being, available to Qatari nationals and Permanent Residents (this is not the same as a QID holder - these are long term residents who have applied for special permits).

Expat Residents can leave the country to other destinations, but at this point in time would not be able to return. More information on this is provided in the Travel section below.

Qatar Airways has announced that the passport holders of other nations will not be granted entry to Qatar. These restrictions are being reviewed on an ongoing basis. Passengers with onward connections through Hamad International Airport will be accepted for travel and Qatar Airways’ global network will continue its operation for transit passengers as normal, subject to entry restrictions at their final destination.

Qatar Airways is still operating flights to many cities around the world, but the airports in these cities may close at short notice. At the time of writing, only one Middle Eastern airport is accessible from Qatar (to Tehran), while flights were still available to locations such as Chicago, London, and Kuala Lumpur. Again, the evolving situation in various countries means that the airports can close with little or no notice, so please consult with your embassy and check the Qatar Airways website.

As noted in a March 31 email from our Human Resources department, exit permits are no longer required for government and semi-government sector-sponsored employees and students effective March 22, 2020, until further notice. This means that an Exit Permit will no longer be required for Qatar Foundation-sponsored employees and students when traveling out of Qatar.

The White House, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and Centers for Disease Control have set up a Coronavirus (COVID-19) website that provides information on symptoms, cases and updates, and resources for households, travelers, and schools and child care programs, amongst others.

Johns Hopkins
Johns Hopkins University & Medicine (JHU) has a COVID-19 tracking map which is the most widely recognized tracker of COVID-19 cases globally, including active cases, deaths and recoveries.

Centers for Disease Control
The Travel section on the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website has information on everything from COVID-19 Travel Recommendations by Country, to FAQs for international travelers.

World Health Organization
The World Health Organization (WHO) website, like Johns Hopkins, and the CDC, has its own COVID-19 Situation Dashboard.

Staying Safe

Qatar: Ministry of Public Health
The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) in collaboration with Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) and Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) has created a webpage to provide the residents of Qatar with a trusted source of information related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

It is updated every day and contains statistics on the total number of new cases in the last 24 hours, the total number of people tested for COVID-19, the total number of people who have recovered from COVID-19 and so on.

It is available in Arabic, English, Hindi, and Malayalam.
https://www.moph.gov.qa/english/Pages/Coronavirus2019.aspx#

Furthermore, it has a pop-up COVID-19 Self-Assessment box

The right-hand side of the MoPH web page has several useful links, some of which we highlight below.
A page on frequently asked questions contains information on everything from signs and symptoms of COVID-19, to what steps Qatar has taken to date to protect the population from COVID-19.

The website has information on how to home quarantine and educational videos (in several languages including Arabic, Bengali, Hindi, Malayalam, Nepali, Sinhala, and Tagalog) on aspects such as the correct method of hand-washing, wearing masks, and what to do if you develop the symptoms of COVID-19.

Educational Materials are available in downloadable formats in several languages and cover everything from when you have to wash your hands, and information on the COVID-19 Call Center, to how to protect yourself from the Coronavirus.

Other news from the MoPH can be found here and at the time of going to press it has news on circulars, remote healthcare services, and the national volunteering campaign. Anyone who is interested in volunteering can sign up at this link.

The MoPH, PHCC, and MoI have set up a Healthcare Hotline. The number to call is 16000. More information is provided in the images below:

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has announced the mechanism of the second phase for distrubuting masks through pharmacies. Information can be found in the three images below.

Hamad Medical Corporation has launched a Mental Health Service Helpline. To speak to a mental health professional, call the new helpline on 16000 from 7am to 10pm daily.
More information can be found in the image below.

The Primary Health Care Corporation has launched the community call center in collaboration with the MoPH and HMC to answer all questions and respond to all inquiries about the services provided. Instructions are in the image below.

The PHCC has started a medication delivery service. Please see the image below for more information.

Hamad Medical Corporation has launched a Pharmacy Medication Delivery Service in collaboration with Qatar Post. Information can be be found in the image below.

A reminder to call 16000 not 999 for information or medical assistance for COVID-19.

Practical advice is also offered, especially as the summer months arrive. The Ministry of Interior has advised against leaving hand sanitizer in your car, as it may cause a fire hazard in the case of extremely hot temperatures.