Qatar is as of today transitioning to the last phase of its four-phase plan to gradually lift Covid-19-related controls, but has stopped short of removing the restrictions completely.
In this phase, a larger number of people will be allowed to gather in public places: Up to 50 vaccinated or 10 unvaccinated in outdoor venues; and up to 30 vaccinated or five unvaccinated in indoor spaces. 100pc of employees are now allowed to work from the office, compared with 80pc before, and outdoor dining in certified restaurants and cafes is permitted at 100pc capacity. Indoor dining, however, will be restricted to 75pc, while shopping malls will also be allowed to operate at 100pc capacity, up from 50pc capacity previous. Public transport is also now allowed to operate at 75pc capacity versus 50pc previously.
The authorities have not said when the remaining restrictions could be lifted.
Qatar moved through the first three phases of its reopening as planned, transitioning every three weeks. The first phase started on 28 May, the second on 18 June and the third on 9 July.
The fourth phase was initially scheduled to start on 30 July, but the transition was delayed to allow the government to get a better handle on the spread of Covid-19 in the country. Qatar's daily Covid-19 cases rose to an average of 210 in August, up from 135 in July. But in September the situation appears to have improved with average daily cases falling to 130.
