MoCI issues clarification on which stores should close and run in Qatar amid Covid-19

Tribune News NetworkDohaIn a clarification statement issued on Friday, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said all stores except those selling food products and medical supplies inside commercial complexes such as those of Al Meera and Lulu are to be closed.This directive, however, does not apply to stores located outside the commercial complexes, including those in commercial streets such as Souq Wakif and Al Furjan markets.In an earlier decision, the ministry had said "retail stores and bank branches” in commercial complexes will be closed as part of the coronavirus mitigation measures. In Friday’s clarification statement, the ministry said the decision only applied to retail stores that are located inside "major commercial malls such as Qatar Mall, Villaggio, Ezdan Mall, Al Salam Mall, City Center, Qmall, B Square Laguna Mall and others.Hypermarkets and supermarkets (because they sell food items), ice-cream parlours, confectionary shops, pharmacies and medical centers are excluded from the closure. The same applies for restaurants and cafes as long as food is not served in their dining rooms.