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She also called on people to avoid social gatherings during the next two weeks, a period that is considered very crucial, noting the role of individuals and families in spreading awareness and canceling many occasions to raise them in the public interest. She praised Qataris and their awareness and care for taking preventive measures to protect themselves and their community from the virus. “The people who withstood the crisis in 2017 and surpassed it steadily will surpass this crisis, God willing, by it takes cohesion and unity,” she said. Khater said Qatar has followed the principle of transparency with the local and international communities since the beginning of this crisis, by announcing all cases and health conditions, and announcing all the measures taken to limit the spread of the epidemic. She reiterated that Qatar will do its utmost to limit the spread of the virus and take all the necessary decisions required, stressing that the effort requires the solidarity of all individuals, institutions and sectors. She said the precautionary measures may be subject to further updates based on the current situation in order to ensure the safety of society. “My safety is your safety, and your safety is my safety,” she said. Responding to a question on closure in Industrial Area, Khater said, “This region is an integral part of the country and therefore the safety of the individuals in this region is the safety of the entire community. Authorities from various ministries will work around the clock to provide all necessary items to meet the needs in the area.” On the decision to allow employees over 55 years of age, pregnant women and people with chronic diseases such as diabetes and blood pressure to work from home, she said, “The decision includes chronic diseases, but it is not limited to these diseases. Asthma also falls within the framework of this decision, so whoever suffers from the problem of asthma can benefit from this decision.” She said safety of all, including workers, a top priority. For his part, Mohamed Hassan al Obaidli, assistant undersecretary for Labour Affairs at the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs, said, “The life in the Industrial Area is going on normally. Companies operating in the area have taken all necessary measures to ensure the availability of food items, medical and healthcare to the residents of this region.” About the responsibility of private companies under these exceptional circumstances, Obaidli praised the Qatari companies and establishments for their efforts to maintain the safety of their workers. He reiterated the importance of these companies in raising awareness among the workers of about the preventing measures against the coronavirus. Saleh al Khulaifi, Assistant Undersecretary for Trade Affairs at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said Qatar Central Bank will organise the process of exempting all commercial companies from loan payments and extending the period of repayment of their loans to six months. On decision about Qatar Development Bank, he said it is related to corporate loans only and not for the beneficiaries of housing loans. On closure of banks, Khulaifi said the decision includes only bank branches within the commercial complexes, and bank customers can visit the rest of the branches approved by each bank. He called on all bank customers to use the electronic services available to them and avoid visiting the branches except in extreme cases. For his part, Dr Abdullatif al Khal, co-chair of the National Epidemic Preparation Committee in the Ministry of Public Health, said: “There are a total of 442 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Qatar. He said more people are on their way to recovery and their test results will be announced soon.
