Qatar News Weekly Update Edition. A recap of this week’s top stories in Qatar brought to you in conjunction with Marhaba, the number one guide to Qatar.
Sunday and the ministry of transport and communications unveils ‘Sila’ to bring Metro, bus, taxi and tram services under one network. ‘Sila’ which means ‘connection’ in Arabic, will be launched in phases. In the coming weeks Sila will launch the journey planning function on its app and website, allowing travellers to plan trips around the country in an integrated way by searching for the best route using a combination of transport modes including buses, the Metro, Metrolink’s, trams, taxis, walking and driving.
On to Monday now and Akbar Al Baker the chairman of Qatar Tourism says that Qatar will continue to develop the tourism industry. He says the tourism experience is a major part of the tournament’s success in recognising Qatar’s promised to deliver the most impressive tournament in the history of the World Cup.
Tuesday and over 200 aircraft worth 50 billion U.S. dollars on order for Qatar Airways. The national carrier of the state of Qatar is one of the few global airlines that continued to take delivery of aircraft during the period between April 1st 2020 and March 31st 2021. Qatar Airways has rebuilt its network from 33 destinations to more than 140 destinations today.
Wednesday and for the second day running, Qatar Airways is on the front page. This time because they’ve been named the world’s best airline again. The airline also secured five additional awards including world’s best business class, world’s best business class airline lounge, world’s best business class airline seat, world’s best business class on board catering, and best airline in the Middle East.
Yesterday and the headline reads mask rules eased as cabinet further lifts COVID-19 curbs. Starting from Sunday October 3rd people will no longer be required to wear masks outdoors in most cases. Cabinet decisions to come into force from October 3rd include:-
- All employees in both the government and private sectors will return to their workplace
- Gatherings or sittings in public parks, beaches, and the Corniche will be allowed for a maximum of 30 people or family members residing in the same household.
- People are not obliged to wear masks in open places except in organised public activities, in markets, exhibitions and events, on the premises of mosques, schools, universities and hospitals.
- All workers in establishments whose nature of work requires being in open spaces and communicating with customers must wear masks.
- Metro and public transport services to operate at 75% capacity.
- Driving schools can operate at full capacity if 75% of trainees have completed COVID-19 vaccine doses.
- Malls can operate at full capacity with entry allowed for children. Food courts inside malls can operate at a maximum of 50% capacity.
- Restaurants and cafes that have obtained ‘Qatar Clean’ certificates can operate at full capacity in open areas. Restaurants and cafes that meet conditions set by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry can operate at 50% capacity.
- Beauty salons and Barber shops can operate at 75% capacity.
- And theatres and cinemas are now allowed to operate at a maximum of 50% capacity.
Now onto today’s news and schools are to return to full attendance from October the third. And that’s joined on the front page of the Gulf Times by the story that Qatar is to hold the first ever Formula One Grand Prix in the country next month. Qatar has also signed a 10-year deal to host Formula One from 2023. There won’t be any Formula One in Qatar next year because it clashes with the FIFA World Cup 2022. But Qatar will host the Formula One Grand Prix for the following ten years.
This week there were 627 new cases of COVID reported in Qatar, 376 local, and 251 arriving into the country. There were 861 recoveries, and unfortunately two COVID related deaths. Which means this week there has been a further reduction of 236 bringing the current total to 1,275 active cases.
