World Cup host Qatar has removed the requirement for visitors to get a negative Covid-19 check before departing for the Persian Gulf state, its fitness ministry said Wednesday (Oct. 26).
Previously, Qatar had told World Cup enthusiasts that they had to provide evidence of a negative covid-19, regardless of their vaccination status, before departing by plane or at the border crossing.
Qatar expects an unprecedented 1. 2 million visitors at the tournament from November 20 to December 18.
Qatari residents no longer want to be tested for Covid-19 within 24 hours of returning to the country from abroad.
The Ministry of Health also removed the requirement for adults to display their Covid-19 prestige on a government-run touch-tracking smartphone app called Ehteraz before entering stadiums or other institutions such as restaurants.
Visitors and citizens will still need to apply before entering a gym, according to the statement.
Qatar is easing restrictions because “the number of covid-19 cases continues to decline globally and in Qatar, and the continued deployment of Qatar’s national covid-19 vaccination program,” he said.
Last week, Qatar relaxed its regulations on wearing masks and now only requires masks for other people visiting fitness facilities.
Qatar, which has a population of nearly 3 million, has recorded more than 440,000 cases of covid-19 and 692 deaths from the virus, according to data from the Ministry of Public Health.
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