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New Covid rules: Qatar imposes fresh restrictions to curb spread of virus

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Photo: AFP

Photo: AFP

Doha - It is the latest Gulf state to tighten restrictions in recent days as infections have risen.

Published: Fri 5 Feb 2021, 11:47 AM

Updated: Fri 5 Feb 2021, 1:24 PM

  • By
  • Web report

Qatar has re-imposed a raft of restrictions on education, leisure and business activities, including closing indoor swimming pools and theme parks and restricting restaurant capacities.

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It is the latest Gulf state to tighten restrictions in recent days in a bid to curb the spread of the coronavirus as infections have risen.

Qatari markets should now operate at 50 per cent capacity, weddings not held at home are banned — with guests for weddings at home limited to relatives only — and nurseries should operate at 30 per cent capacity, the health ministry said on Twitter.

Outdoor gatherings in venues such as parks should be limited to 15 people, while indoor gatherings should be no more than five people.

Boat rentals have been banned and the capacity of personal boats has been limited to 15 people.

“These increases appear to be early signs of a potential second wave in Qatar,” the ministry said in a statement, referring to both rising infection numbers and increased numbers of hospital admissions.

The Gulf country reported 407 new cases of Covid infections on Thursday. Daily case numbers have been steadily rising since a one-day December low of 117.



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