The 2022 FIFA World Cup is expected to draw a crowd to the host country, Qatar, and the country is expecting an influx of enthusiasts from all over the world.
According to FIFA, ticket sales for the World Cup totaled 3 million as of mid-October, with the United States, Saudi Arabia, England and Mexico among the most reasonable ticket buyers.
Such a buildup will raise questions about the spread of COVID-19 and how enthusiasts are expected to mitigate that opportunity for the virus to spread. According to the World Health Organization’s COVID-19 tracking system, tens of thousands of new cases are reported daily around the world, meaning the pandemic remains a deserved topic of discussion.
However, just before the start of the World Cup, Qatar announced a relaxation of almost all of the country’s COVID-19 requirements, with the tournament set to begin on November 20.
MORE: Rules in Qatar for the World Cup, adding local alcohol and sex and regulations
The country’s Ministry of Health announced on October 27 that as of November 1, no negative COVID-19 result will be required to enter Qatar. In addition, no evidence of tactile tracking will be required.
Visitors and citizens will still have to show the track of their contract through a government app called Ehteraz before entering healthcare facilities.
Just a week earlier, Qatar had also announced a remnant of its mask requirements, and now mandates the use of masks in healthcare facilities.
According to the official issued through Qatar’s Ministry of Health, the country has relaxed its regulations due to “the number of COVID-19 cases that continues to decline globally and in Qatar, and the ongoing rollout of the national COVID-19 vaccination program in Qatar. “. Program. “
Previously, Qatar had said enthusiasts visiting the World Cup must show evidence of a negative COVID-19 PCR test or an immediate antigen approach 24 hours before flying or arriving at the border, regardless of vaccination status.
The country expects an influx of 1. 2 million visitors to Qatar during the World Cup, according to the Associated Press.
The Qatari government gives a COVID-19 vaccination certificate as proof of vaccination of the country.
Through the government app Ehteraz, Qatar can apply for a government-issued vaccination certificate showing that you have received the full dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
The certificate is valid for months, which has been reduced from the original 12-month validity in February 2022, in reaction to the approval of the two-dose vaccine.
Qatar Airways, as an organization, independently requires COVID-19 testing prior to boarding.
“Passengers transiting through and departing from the airport must present proof or certifications that exceed the needs of their country of departure or destination,” Qatar Airways says on its official website.
However, the airline does conduct COVID-19 testing in the case of a flight traveling to or within a country that requires testing as part of its regulations.
“In the event that government regulations require you to provide a negative COVID-19 test result on departure and/or arrival, Qatar Airways will verify this data at the time of check-in and retain a copy of the screening result,” it says.
The U. S. Embassy in Qatar recently recommended a Level 1 advisory, which states that U. S. citizens deserve to “take general precautions in Qatar. “
This is lower than a spring level four advisory, which stated at the time that citizens deserve not to travel to the country due to high levels of COVID-19 prevalence.
However, there is an addendum for those traveling to Qatar by air, which reads: “Due to the dangers to civil aviation operating in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman region, adding Qatar, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued an Air Mission Advisory Opinion (NOTAM) and/or Federal Special Aviation Regulations (SFAR).
The FAA’s forthcoming advisory states that all air “should exercise caution when operating in the airspace over the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman in the Kuwait FIR due to the continued increase in military posture and political tensions in the region. “
Those who wish to attend deserve to follow updates on the U. S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs website. Check out the U. S. for more details, before the World Cup begins.
The governments of the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and other countries have also committed recommendation pages for Qatar.