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Tribune News Network
Doha
From stopping all incoming flights to shutting all public transport services, Qatar announced a series of major announcements on Sunday aimed at curbing the spread of coronavirus in the country.
The announcements came after the Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani chaired a meeting of the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management. All the decisions were taken based on the Amir’s directive.
The measures were announced at a press conference attended by MoFA spokesperson Lolwah al Khater and other officials.
Khater said no incoming flights to Doha will be allowed for a period of 14 days from Wednesday evening. The embargo will be reviewed after the two-week period. However, air cargo and transit flights, in addition to any flight with Qatari citizens coming from any destination in the world, will be allowed.
Those coming on such flights will be in quarantine for two weeks.
“With regard to Qatari students located outside the country, we advise them to adhere to the policies in place in the study country with the readiness of the country's embassies to provide any of the necessary services, including facilitating the procedures for return to the State of Qatar if the need arises, and we also call upon citizens and residents in the State of Qatar to avoid travel during the coming period.”
Lolwah al Khater said, the public transportation, including Doha Metro and Karwa buses, will cease to operate from tonight at 10 pm.
Employees over the age of 55, pregnant women and people suffering from chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart and kidney disease and stress, will be directed to work from home, she said.
All students in public schools will begin distance learning from Sunday (March 22) and students from grades one to eleven will be subject to continuous evaluation system.
“As for the twelfth grade students, they will undergo high school exams on time and at the exams headquarters, which will be announced later. As for students in private schools and universities, they start studying remotely according to the academic calendar and the evaluation systems approved for them.”
A package of decisions related to the economic and financial sector was also announced on Sunday.
According to Khater, the Amir has directed the state machinery to provide financial and economic incentives amounting to QR75 billion to the private sector.
The Qatar Central Bank has also been asked to put in place an appropriate mechanism to encourage banks to postpone loan installments and obligations of the private sector with a grace period of six months.
Khater said the Qatar Development Bank would postpone the installments of all borrowers for a period of six months.
Government funds will increase their investments in the stock exchange by QR10 billion, she said, adding that the Central Bank will provide additional liquidity to banks operating in the country.
Food and medical goods will be exempted from customs duties for a period of six months, provided that this is reflected in the selling price to the consumer, she said.
Water and electricity fees will be waived off for firms in hospitality, tourism and retail sectors, small and medium industries and commercial complexes for a period of six months, provided the services and exemptions trickle down to tenants, the spokesperson said.
Small and medium industries in the logistical areas will also receive a rent holiday for six months, she said.
Doha
From stopping all incoming flights to shutting all public transport services, Qatar announced a series of major announcements on Sunday aimed at curbing the spread of coronavirus in the country.
The announcements came after the Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani chaired a meeting of the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management. All the decisions were taken based on the Amir’s directive.
The measures were announced at a press conference attended by MoFA spokesperson Lolwah al Khater and other officials.
Khater said no incoming flights to Doha will be allowed for a period of 14 days from Wednesday evening. The embargo will be reviewed after the two-week period. However, air cargo and transit flights, in addition to any flight with Qatari citizens coming from any destination in the world, will be allowed.
Those coming on such flights will be in quarantine for two weeks.
“With regard to Qatari students located outside the country, we advise them to adhere to the policies in place in the study country with the readiness of the country's embassies to provide any of the necessary services, including facilitating the procedures for return to the State of Qatar if the need arises, and we also call upon citizens and residents in the State of Qatar to avoid travel during the coming period.”
Lolwah al Khater said, the public transportation, including Doha Metro and Karwa buses, will cease to operate from tonight at 10 pm.
Employees over the age of 55, pregnant women and people suffering from chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart and kidney disease and stress, will be directed to work from home, she said.
All students in public schools will begin distance learning from Sunday (March 22) and students from grades one to eleven will be subject to continuous evaluation system.
“As for the twelfth grade students, they will undergo high school exams on time and at the exams headquarters, which will be announced later. As for students in private schools and universities, they start studying remotely according to the academic calendar and the evaluation systems approved for them.”
A package of decisions related to the economic and financial sector was also announced on Sunday.
According to Khater, the Amir has directed the state machinery to provide financial and economic incentives amounting to QR75 billion to the private sector.
The Qatar Central Bank has also been asked to put in place an appropriate mechanism to encourage banks to postpone loan installments and obligations of the private sector with a grace period of six months.
Khater said the Qatar Development Bank would postpone the installments of all borrowers for a period of six months.
Government funds will increase their investments in the stock exchange by QR10 billion, she said, adding that the Central Bank will provide additional liquidity to banks operating in the country.
Food and medical goods will be exempted from customs duties for a period of six months, provided that this is reflected in the selling price to the consumer, she said.
Water and electricity fees will be waived off for firms in hospitality, tourism and retail sectors, small and medium industries and commercial complexes for a period of six months, provided the services and exemptions trickle down to tenants, the spokesperson said.
Small and medium industries in the logistical areas will also receive a rent holiday for six months, she said.
