Dubai: Qatar has announced compulsory hotel quarantine on all arrivals from India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the Philippines, whether they are travelling through direct flight or via other countries (transit), and even if they have been vaccinated, local media reported.
In a press statement issued yesterday, the Qatari Ministry of Public Health clarified the measure was taken due to the emergence of new strain of coronavirus in India.
“All arrivals from the six countries must undergo 10 days quarantine in a dedicated quarantine facility, or 14 days if quarantined at workers quarantine facilities,” the statement said.
All passengers whose original flights are from the said countries are subject to mandatory COVID-19 PCR test done 48 hours before departure from the testing centres approved by their local health authority, adding that no one can board the flight to Qatar without a valid negative PCR certificate.
The ministry said home quarantine criteria is not applicable for travellers coming from these countries, including the exemptions due to vaccination or recovery from a previous infection with the virus during the past six months.
It added that all arrivals from those countries must undergo a repeat COVID-19 PCR test at the quarantine facility within one day of arrival, adding that the PCR test will be repeated during and before the end of the quarantine period.
Moreover, it noted that the transit passengers must have the mandatory pre-travel PCR test done 48 hours before departure from the testing centres approved by their local health authority, stressing that no one will be allowed to board the flight to Qatar without a valid negative PCR certificate.
