Malls and shopping centres will be allowed to operate from 8am-8pm from tomorrow, when the first phase of lifting Covid-19 restrictions begins, but these businesses will remain closed on Fridays and Saturdays.

This was announced by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry through a notification yesterday, in line with the previous decisions and measures adopted by Qatar to preserve the health and safety of citizens and residents, and to limit the spread of Covid-19.

The four-phase lifting of restrictions begins on June 15, followed by the second stage on July 1, the third on August 1 and the fourth and final on September 1. For detailed information click here.

According to the MoCI notification on the “first stage of the gradual lifting of restrictions on malls and shopping centres”, the businesses allowed to resume operations and the conditions applicable to them are:

  • Partial opening of some shops in commercial centres, provided the outlet’s floor space is not less than 300sq m.
  • Restaurants that deliver to home addresses or hand over orders at the restaurant, while prohibiting customers from dining in.
  • Shops selling sweets, ice cream, cakes, pastries, honey and dates. Gaming centres, amusement parks, skateboard arenas, prayer rooms and cinemas will remain closed.
  • This decision also prohibits any artistic, cultural or recreational activities at malls and commercial centres.

Malls and shopping centres have to adhere to the precautionary and preventive measures outlined by the MoPH & MADLSA and shall comply with the following guidelines:

Allowing shoppers onto the premises only after checking the colour code on the Ehteraz app. Only ‘Green’ code holders are allowed in.

Barring people not wearing a medical mask and compelling visitors to wear one throughout their time at the mall.

Barring individuals under the age of 12, and those aged 60 and above, from entering the mall. Measuring the body temperature of workers and visitors at all entrances and preventing those with temperatures above 38C from entering the mall.

  • Providing hand sanitisers across mall facilities.
  • Educating visitors to maintain a safe distance of no less than 2m from other individuals.
  • Reducing the number of parking spaces available to visitors by 50%.
  • Operating at less than 30% of the mall’s regular capacity.
  • Barring smoking at mall entrances and removing all containers designated for cigarette waste.
  • Preventing the gathering of visitors and limousine/taxi drivers at the entrance to the mall

Shops and retail outlets operating inside malls and shopping centres have to comply with the following measures:

Continuously measure the body temperature of the outlet’s staff , isolate employees who exhibit symptoms and inform the authorities concerned to take the necessary precautions and health measures in this regard.

Source : Gulf Times

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