MoCI issues Circular, following Cabinet decision regarding commercial and service activities will be allowed from 7am-8pm (Sunday-Thursday) with some exceptions.

The circular also specifies that the earlier decisions on closing retail outlets in malls – with the exception of stores selling food products and pharmacies – and suspending the activities of health clubs, barbershops and beauty salons will continue to apply.

Based on the decision of the Council of Ministers “during its 22nd meeting held on 03/06/2020, within the framework of the preventive and precautionary measures taken in Qatar to contain the Covid-19 outbreak and in line with previous decisions and measures, the permitted working hours for commercial and service activities will be from 7am to 8pm (Sunday to Thursday),” the circular states.

The following activities are excluded from this:

  • Outlets selling food products
  • Consumer goods and subsidised supplies (hypermarkets, supermarkets and groceries) and shops selling fruits and vegetables
  • Pharmacies
  • Factories
  • Companies delivering orders through electronic apps
  • Petrol stations and car services
  • Car maintenance workshops affiliated with agencies
  • Companies operating in the hospitality sector
  • Telecommunication companies
  • Maintenance companies (electricity, plumbing and electronics services)
  • Restaurants, cafeterias and cafes (coffee shops) that are allowed to deliver or hand over orders to customers outside the business place.

However, restaurants and cafes located in malls are excluded from this decision and only allowed to process delivery orders. These outlets are prohibited from handing over orders to customers inside the premises.

Logistics service companies and freight firms operating in ports, airports and Customs services  Contracting and engineering companies (allowed to operate at construction sites along with affiliated agencies).

All companies and retail outlets must comply with the decisions issued by the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs and the Ministry of Public Health in this regard, the circular says.

Any violation of this decision’s provisions will be subject to legal accountability, it adds. The decision, which was issued yesterday, may be subject to amendments and updates according to the latest developments in this regard, the MoCI points out.

Source : Gulf Times

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