MoPH revises the list of low-risk countries from October 22
As Qatar continues to ease COVID-19 restrictions gradually, the previously announced travel and return policy was reviewed by the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH).
The same policy will continue with minor amendments effective from October 22, 2020.
The list of low-risk countries
- Brunei Darussalam
- Thailand
- China
- New Zealand
- Vietnam
- Malaysia
- South Korea
- Cuba
- Hungary
- Finland
- Latvia
- Estonia
- Norway
- Italy
- Lithuania
- Greece
- Slovakia
- Ireland
- Germany
- Slovenia
- Japan
- Denmark
- Cyprus
- United Kingdom
- Canada
- Turkey
- Poland
- Austria
- Algeria
- Netherlands
- Iceland
- France
- Croatia
- Switzerland
- Morocco
- Australia
- Belgium
- Portugal
- Sweden
- Uruguay
- Bulgaria
- Maldives
- Malta
- Mexico
- Romania
- Russian Federation
- Serbia
- Singapore
- Taiwan
The list of low-risk countries will be reviewed and updated regularly based on public health indicators in Qatar and around the world.
Traveling abroad policy
Citizens and residents can travel overseas at any time, provided they adhere to the travel and return policy. Those who wish to travel must be aware of the precautionary measures implemented in the country they plan to visit in terms of quarantine policy, its duration, and the requirement to provide a COVID-19 free certificate.
Employees must coordinate with their employers when planning the trip. They should consider the quarantine period while planning the trip.
Return and entry policy
Travelers returning from low-risk countries must take the COVID-19 test upon arrival at the Hamad International Airport and sign a Home Quarantine Undertaking to comply with the home quarantine requirement for a week.
Their health status on Ehteraz’s app will be yellow. On the sixth day, the individual should visit one of the PHCC healthcare centers to re-test for COVID-19. If the test result is positive, the individual will be isolated and their health status on Ehteraz will change to red.
If it is negative, then the quarantine period is completed by the end of the seventh day and their health status on Ehteraz will change to green.
Travelers from the other countries, where approved COVID-19 testing centers are not in place, should be hotel quarantined at their own expense for a week.
They should book a hotel quarantine for a week from the listed hotels on the “Discover Qatar” website.
These individuals will require a COVID-19 re-test on day 6. If the result is negative, and the individual is asymptomatic, they are released from the hotel on the 7th day to continue the quarantine period at home for another seven days.
Their health status on Ehteraz will remain yellow and will change back to green at the end of the quarantine period, which is 14 days in total.
If there are MpPH approved COVID-19 testing centers at the country of travel, a COVID-19-free certificate should be obtained from one of these centers to be exempted from testing at the airport. The certificate should not exceed 48 hours before travel.
In the case of home quarantine, the accommodation conditions should be suitable and have a separate room with a bathroom. If the accommodation is not appropriate, the individual should book one of the quarantine packages.
Citizens, their spouses and children, permanent residency holders, and GCC citizens can return to the State of Qatar at any time if they adhere to the travel and return policies according to the countries of travel.
Citizens, their spouses and children, permanent residency holders, and GCC citizens shall bear the cost of the hotel quarantine for a week, provided that the booking is made through “Discover Qatar.” If the individual’s accommodation condition does not meet the home quarantine criteria, the hotel booking should be for 2 weeks.
Patients receiving treatment abroad at the expense of the State, along with their escorts, shall be exempted from the cost of the hotel quarantine. The same applies to the employees who are on official missions, provided that the hotel quarantine conditions apply.
Residents could return to the State of Qatar with an “Exceptional Entry Permit” through the “Qatar Portal” website.
The employer should submit an “Exceptional Entry Permit” application for the company/ institute’s employees electronically via the “Qatar Portal” website. A similar process applies to domestic workers.
The employer shall bear the costs of the quarantine in the dedicated facilities for two weeks, provided that the booking is made through the “Discover Qatar” website.
Ehteraz app policy
Travelers returning to the State of Qatar must download and activate the Ehteraz app on their mobiles upon arrival at Hamad International Airport.
Requirements:
- A Qatari SIM Card from a local telecom operator (Ooredoo and Vodafone).
- Internet access.
- A smartphone that supports either Android 6 and up or IOS 13.5 and up.
- Download the application on your mobile phone either via Google Play or Apple App Store or from any search engines on the internet.
- Diplomats, holders of MOFA issued administrative cards, and VVIP visitors are exempted.
For more information, please click here.
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Source: MoPH
List is clearly based on political basis as always... Number in EU are dramatically rising and they are still low risk
That's similar to Kuwait expats count law to control expats, except that Kuwait goes straight to the point
I hardly disagree with this list. So many of the African countries like Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, etc. has low risk or low infection rate but still not listed among this green list. On what basis does this list issued. How is that possible that a country like UK, Italy, France, etc be among the low risk countries. This is difficult to accept. I believe the list needs to be reviewed. Where is the source of this?
Please include India .. please provide visa for Indian citizens.
What about those whos company blocked due to WPS.
applied on qatar Portal and still showing under process???
since last 80 days waiting to travel from India, hence no more updates from Sponsor side or any others.
Also please update if any news on new visa application process.
Please provide us with new family visa also consider adding india in nationality section in metrash app to atleast apply for the visa
Any update on resumption of family visa or visit visa...??