Manama: Qatar will allow residents who are stranded abroad to return to the country starting August 1, according to state news agency QNA.
Citizens and permanent residency holders can also travel outside the country and return at any time, the agency said on Wednesday quoting a statement from the government communication office.
Expats currently abroad who hold a valid residence visa will be allowed to return to the country. Residents’ who received an entry permit will be allowed to reenter the country. The permit will be based on priorities, including public health indicators, the nature of the needs of the employer, and humanitarian cases. Those who are willing to return to the country have to submit requests for permits via the “Qatar Portal” website.
The new travel measures come as part of the third phase of a four-phase plan to lift coronavirus restrictions in the country.
The Ministry of Public Health published the list of low-risk countries on its website, which consist of 40 countries except India. The list of low-risk countries will be reviewed every two weeks.
Citizens and residents are allowed to travel to the listed low-risk countries only, it said. The statement also said arrivals to the country from low-risk countries are required to take a COVID-19 test and sign a formal pledge to adhere to quarantine at home for a week. The traveller will be discharged from the quarantine depending on the test. If the result is positive, the traveller will be transferred to isolation. And if it is negative, the quarantine period ends at the end of that week.
The employer shall bear the costs of the quarantine for blue collar workers and domestic workers after obtaining the entry permit.
Though India is not included on the list of low-risk countries, Indian expats can return to the country by adhering to the return protocol.
Those who have covid-19 negative certificates from the accredited COVID-19 testing centres, he will be exempted from taking the test at the airport upon arrival in the country.
Arrivals from countries that are not included in the list of low-risk countries and in which COVID-19 testing centres have been accredited are required to obtain a virus-free certificate from there no more than 48 hours before travelling. The arrivals must also comply with the home quarantine for a week upon arrival in Qatar. Countries in which there are no accredited COVID-19 testing centres will be required to quarantine in an approved hotel at their own expense for one week, provided that hotel accommodation is booked through the “Discover Qatar“ website before arriving in the country. The ending of the quarantine period will depend on the result of a COVID-19 test, the statement said.
Qatar is leading in the GCC with the highest numbers of recoveries- over 97 % or 1,04,641 recoveries out of the total 1,07,871 cases. A total of 163 people have died of covid-19, so far.
Qatar confirmed 441 new cases and 3 deaths on Wednesday.
