Qatar Weekly News Recap Fri 14th Jan

Weekly News Friday 14th January 2020

Here’s a recap of Qatar’s big news stories for the week up to Friday 14th January. Brought to you in conjunction with Marhaba, the ultimate guide to Qatar.

Starting with last Saturday when the 9-month probation period for domestic workers took effect. In the first three months, the employer has the right to terminate an employment contract and recover the full amount he paid to the recruitment office, while for the additional six-month probationary period the licensee shall guarantee the return of the sum paid to him by the employer, minus 15% of the total amount due, for each month the worker spent in the service of the employer during the additional probation period, with deduction of government fees incurred in any of the following cases: the worker’s refusal to work, the worker runs away or illness with a chronic disease.

Meanwhile, the right of the employer shall also be forfeited if the employer assaults the worker and violates any of the terms of the contract with the worker.

On to Sunday and 1,140 people have been referred to public prosecution for flouting COVID safety measures. 648 for not wearing masks, 25 for not downloading the Ehteraz app and 467 for not social distancing. And the news that vaccinated adults with children under the age of 12 can eat in open spaces.

Monday and the Ministry of Public Health okays COVID boosters for children between the ages of 12 and 15 years of age. COVID recovered patients are to enjoy the same privileges as the vaccinated. Pharmacies are to start accepting prescriptions issued by doctors via email or WhatsApp. And children below the age of 12 years are no longer allowed to enter malls. Oh and the Hamad International Airport sees a 41.37% surge in the number of passengers served.

Tuesday now and the Shura council discussed the Qatari job seekers issue. And stressed that there needs to be a link between education outputs and the needs of the labour market.

The 2022 to 2023 academic year for students is to begin on August the 16th. And the Qatar Vaccination Centre for Business and Industry inoculates 10,000 people on its first day.

On Wednesday the front page of the Qatar Tribune said that the recent COVID-19 deaths were of unvaccinated people according to doctor Al Khal. ‘All patients who have been admitted to the intensive care unit are either unvaccinated people or who have received the second dose of the vaccine more than six months ago’ he went on to say.

Yesterday there was the story that property owners are set to benefit from visitor influx. Qatar tourism has announced an expedited process to issue holiday homes licences for residential property owners to enlist their units for short term rentals through popular international websites such as Airbnb, bookings.com, holidayhomes.com and Vrbo. Owners renting to vacationers without a valid licence will be fined 200,000 riyals. Ouch.

And in this morning’s newspapers the Prime Minister opened the 31st Doha international book fair yesterday. And there’s also the news that scattered rain is likely from today. The country is likely to witness scattered rain of varying intensity at intermittent intervals until Tuesday. And could become thundery at times according to Qatar’s Met Office.  

Sheraton Grand Doha Resort and Convention Hotel

Building was completed on the Sheraton in 1979, and it’s official opening was in 1982. The first 5 star hotel in the country this iconic building has been a part of Doha’s skyline for more than 43 years. And thanks to a major renovation in 2014 it’s completely up to date with the latest technology, innovations and luxury fittings. Just look at this room. If I had to use one word to describe it, that word would be ‘plush’. And it’s so quiet, to me it had the sound quality of a recording studio. The most palatial recording studio I have ever been in. This suit is luxury on steroids. And it has a bedroom that sweet dreams are made of. Complete with a big TV, but who wants to watch TV when you have a balcony with a view like this. Oh nearly forgot the bathroom. It’s just as opulent as all the other rooms, luxury personified.

Now on to the first of two of the Sheraton Doha’s restaurants I want to tell you about. This is La Veranda and you have almost certainly guessed by now that it’s an Italian restaurant. I’m here to tell you about its business lunch that can be yours for just 115 riyals per person. But I got totally distracted by this pizza and decided to show you this instead. Mmmm…. Can you smell that! It doesn’t matter what you decide to eat in La Veranda, you can be sure the flavours are going to be as colourful and vibrant as the restaurant.  And with the weather as beautiful as it is at the moment, why not dine outside next to the sea.

And now we’re in Jamavar the second of the two Sheriton restaurant I want to tell you about. 5 star Indian cuisine in a five star setting. And they have a delicious business lunch to tantalise you taste buds. You can have a vegetarian Thali for 135 riyals per person, or for an extra 10 riyals you can have the non-vegetarian version. Mocktails are available for a little extra to compliment your meal.

The Sheraton Grand Doha Resort and Convention Hotel a very special place for very special memories

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