More than 35,000 join as Covid-19 volunteers: Khater

QNADohaThe response to the "For Qatar" volunteer programme to help the country fight the coronavirus pandemic has been huge, drawing more than 35,000 so far, Supreme Committee for Crisis Management Spokesperson HE Lolwah bint Rashid bin Mohammed al Khater said in Doha on Tuesday.The Ministry of Public Health is now working with the relevant authorities to distribute volunteers according to need and expertise.Khater said Qatar is keen to provide the highest levels of medical services for all without exception and free of charge.In the press conference, Khater reviewed the latest developments regarding the closed part of the industrial area, stressing that the Ministry of Public Health worked to establish three mobile units for examination, in addition to six ambulances that roam the area for random examination, in order to ensure that residents are free of the (COVID-19) virus, and transfer those suspected of being infected to health authorities to receive the necessary care.Her Excellency added that food and medical supplies for the residents of the area continues in coordination with the concerned authorities, where nearly a thousand vehicles enter daily to transport essential materials while taking all necessary health precautions, praising in this context the cooperation of the residents of the area and their patience in these difficult times in addition to the cooperation of the relevant embassies to raise awareness and reassure their communities.Her Excellency clarified that, based on the directives of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, which was announced in the first set of decisions, Qatar Central Bank issued a circular to banks and money exchanges operating in the country regarding the postponement of outstanding loan installments and interest for the affected sectors, for a period of six months from 16/3/2020.The circular also stipulated that a repurchase window (Repo) be allocated, with a zero rate, used by banks to postpone loan installments, or grant new loans, as well as the fees imposed on points of sale (POS) and ATM withdrawal fees.Her Excellency said that the loans mentioned in the circular did not include the personal loans.Her Excellency also pointed out that Qatar Central Bank also issued a circular to banks and money exchanges operating in the country regarding the facilitation of electronic money transfers procedures abroad and the provision of electronic services to the workers category, and the announcement of all available electronic services by various means.Her Excellency said that within the framework of the states plan to secure the flow of imports to the local market of food and consumer goods and supplies in sufficient quantities at reasonable prices and in high quality to meet the needs of citizens and residents, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry will sign contracts this week with 14 companies to raise the strategic stock of food and consumer goods.In this regard, she stressed that the materials are sufficiently available, and stressed the necessity of not crowding into supermarkets and foodstuff stores to preserve safety.Also, she clarified that the transportation unit at the Amiri Air Force Qatari supervised, in cooperation with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the operating of regular flights to the People's Republic of China to provide and meet all the needs of the local market of masks and medical sterilizers.Her Excellency pointed out that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged citizens, children, husbands, and wives of Qataris abroad to register their data through the Foreign Ministry's application and website to communicate with them in emergencies.Her Excellency stressed that the State of Qatar does not forget in this crisis its brothers and friends who are doing their part to combat the epidemic, as the State of Qatar has sent a number of medical shipments to friendly countries to combat this virus, including aid directed to the Palestinian brothers. She pointed out that the Ministry of Public Health is in constant contact with its counterparts in different countries and the WHO to update the latest developments and solutions that can be applied to limit the spread of the virus.She affirmed that the State of Qatar will continue to provide assistance and support to all countries to combat this epidemic.