Qatar Re-Imposes COVID-19 Restrictions on Many Activities

Gulf

February 4th, 1:38pm

Asharq Al-Awsat

FILE PHOTO: General view of a empty kids playground, following the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Doha, Qatar March 17, 2020. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo

Qatar on Thursday re-imposed a raft of restrictions on education, leisure and business activities, including closing indoor swimming pools and theme parks and restricting restaurant capacities. It also reported 407 new COVID-19 cases, as daily infections have been steadily rising since a one-day December low of 117. “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. Qatari markets should now operate at 50% capacity, weddings not held at home are banned - with guests for weddings at home limited to relatives only - and nurseries should operate at 30% 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, Reuters reported. Boat rentals have been banned and the capacity of personal boats has been limited to 15 people. Meanwhile, Kuwait said on Wednesday it will suspend entry for non-citizens for two weeks from Feb. 7 after a rise in coronavirus cases. Also, Saudi Arabia this week suspended entry to the kingdom from 20 countries, with the exception of Saudi citizens, diplomats, and medical practitioners and their families.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2785051/qatar-re-imposes-covid-19-restrictions-many-activities