Doha
Supreme Committee for Crisis Management spokesperson HE Lolwah bint Rashid al Khater made a series of major announcements on Tuesday.
She said all retail stores, bank branches in commercial complexes and shopping centres will be closed, but food outlets and pharmacies will remain open as part of the national efforts to contain the outbreak. Barber shops and beauty salons across Qatar will also be closed, including home salon services.
Khater said the salaries of workers within the locked-down area of the Industrial Area will be paid. A section of the industrial area was closed on Tuesday for a preliminary period of two weeks after a few tested positive for Covid-19 there. The closure may be renewed after the initial period.
Khater called on the public to not leave their homes unless ultimately required and if they are out, she asked them to exercise social distancing.
As many as 8,547 individuals have been tested for the disease so far in the country. While Qatar hasn't reported any fatality linked to the virus or termed any case as being ‘critical’, four Covid-19 patients have made complete recovery.
On March 12, Qatar began inspections of all accommodation facilities for workers to ensure they have adopted appropriate measures to prevent the transmission of coronavirus.
"The competent authorities in the Ministry of Public Health continue to conduct the necessary checks for everyone who has been in contact with confirmed cases," a digital statement on the MoPH website said.
