Doha: As part of the process of the gradual lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, international sports events and competitions, as well as international conferences, exhibition and cultural events, were allowed to resume from October 1, subject to adherence to strict precautionary measures published by the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH).
This follows the resumption of local events, which was announced as part of the launch of the phase four of the gradual lifting of restrictions on the 1st of September.
In addition to following the MOPH precautionary measures, organizers are requested to seek approval from the MOPH to hold the event by submitting an application form with the details of the event, including information on the venue and participants. This approval is in addition to any other necessary approvals by other authorities.
As part of the application, they are also requested to sign a declaration confirming their commitment to adhere to the precautionary measures published by MOPH. The application form can be downloaded from the MOPH website.
The organizer must fill out the event application form and submit it, along with a covering letter, to the office of the Minister of Public Health, which will refer the request to the relevant Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) event focal point for approval. The request should be sent by email to: pr_com@moph.gov.qa
MoPH has published a set of precautionary guidelines to facilitate the safe resumption of cultural events, exhibitions, conferences, and sports events while ensuring effective measures are in place to protect the health of participants, staff, and supporting personnel by reducing the risk of COVID-19 transmission.
Organizers must adhere to all precautionary measures outlined in this guidance, which include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Presenting a negative COVID-19 PCR test result certificate (conducted 48 hours before arriving), or adhering to testing at the airport upon arrival. Subsequent swabbing for COVID-19 PCR testing will be undertaken from all delegates every 3 days till the end of the individual or delegation participation in the event or until the completion of 2 weeks since arrival into Qatar.
- All international delegates (including permanent support staff that need to accompany the delegates such as bus drivers and others) are required to enter hotel quarantine before participation in the event.
- All exhibitors/speakers/organizers and all participants should wear face masks all the time while at the activity venue (athletes are exempted from this only while engaging in sports activities).
- Adhering to a 1.5 m physical distance between people (9 m2 per person) at all times.
- On arrival Check EHTERAZ App is downloaded for all participants who are 18 and above, check that the status is green to allow entry for all staff, organizers, delegates and public.
- Thermal screening for employees, participants, and public, and entry only allowed for those of 37.8 degrees or less.
- Maintain a registry of attendees and the sessions they attended to facilitate contact tracing if needed in case of clusters.
Full Trade-shows, Exhibitions, Conferences and Cultural Events Guidance is available on the MOPH website here.
Full Professional Sports Events Guidance is available on the MOPH website here.
SOURCE: THEPENINSULAQATAR