Manama: Ten days hotel quarantine is mandatory for all arrivals in Qatar from India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the Philippines, amid a severe spike in Covid-19 cases, according to a ministry of public health statement. Passengers from these countries must carry a negative PCR report conducted within 48 hours of departure.
The measures apply to both travelers arriving via direct flights or transit and those who have been vaccinated, the statement said.
Moreover, it stated that all passengers transiting through Qatar must have the mandatory pre-travel PCR negative certificate, and in case they require another PCR test for their onward destination, they can have it at Hamad International Airport for a fee of QR300 per test.
The latest guidelines came into effect on Thursday.
The ministry announced that the new measure was taken due to the emergence of a new strain of coronavirus in India and in order to preserve public health in Qatar ministry said.
The 10 days quarantine has to be in a dedicated quarantine facility or 14 days if quarantined at the workers quarantine facilities.
The pre-flight COVID-19 PCR test should be done in the testing centres approved by their local health authority. The ministry reaffirmed that no one can board the flight to Qatar without a valid negative PCR certificate.
It also said that all arrivals from these countries must undergo a repeat Covid-19 PCR test at the quarantine facility within one day of arrival. The PCR test will be repeated during and before the end of the quarantine period.
Home quarantine criteria are not applicable for travellers coming from these six countries, including exemptions due to vaccination or recovery from a previous infection with the virus during the past six months, the statement added.
