Qatar Economic Outlook Issue Number 13

1st Wave
2nd Wave
Lifting restrictions 
plans 
P
1
P
1
P
3
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4
The imposition of 
preventive measures has 
led to an almost total 
closure of many 
economic and social 
The Cabinet issued two 
decisions on March 26 
and April 7, 2021 to re-
impose containment 
measures that would lead 
to a near-total shutdown 
of many social and 
economic activities.
Source: Ministry of Public Health and prepared by PSA (Note: 52 weeks per year (wk), No. of months and year (First & Second waves)) 
Lifting restrictions 
plans 
The Cabinet issued two 
decisions on early Augu
and late September, 2021 
to ease containment 
measures that would lead 
to a near-total open of 
many social and economic 
activities.

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Qatar Economic Outlook 2021 - 2023 
108 
Box 2-11: Phases of Gradual Lifting of COVID-19 Restrictions after the First Wave
 
Phase 1 (15 Jun) Phase 2 (1 Jul) 
Phase 3 (1 Aug) 
Phase 4 (1 Sep) 
Phase 1 included 
the 
restricted 
opening 
of 
mosques 
while 
maintaining social 
distancing, 
allowing travel for 
emergencies, 
restricted parks for 
outdoor sports to 
open, 
selected 
private healthcare 
facilities to be 
permitted at 40% 
capacity, allowed 
for the partial 
opening of shops in 
malls at a capacity 
of 30%, and offices 
could operate with 
only 
20% 
of 
employees at their 
workplaces. 
In Phase 2, a limited 
opening of mosques 
and 
travel 
for 
emergencies 
continued, 
while 
allowing 
public 
gatherings for up to 10 
people, opening parks, 
beaches 
and 
the 
Corniche, 
allowing 
sports training in open 
spaces and large halls, 
private 
healthcare 
facilities were permitted 
at 60% capacity, malls, 
souks, 
markets, 
restaurants, museums 
and libraries were 
allowed to open subject 
to restricted hours and 
capacity, 
and 
employers 
were 
permitted to allow 50% 
of employees back at 
the workplace. 
In Phase 3, a limited opening of 
mosques continued, while Friday 
prayers were allowed in 54 
mosques, low-risk inbound flights 
were permitted for travelers 
holding residence, gatherings of 
fewer than 40 people were 
allowed, playgrounds and skate 
parks were encouraged to open, 
healthcare 
facilities 
were 
permitted at 80% capacity, malls 
and wholesale markets could 
operate but for limited hours 
together with an increased 
occupancy 
rate 
of 
mall 
restaurants, 
museums 
and 
libraries were permitted to open 
for limited hours, beauty centers, 
barbershops and hairdressers 
were permitted to operate at a 
50% capacity, training centers, 
including drivers’ education, could 
resume activities, and employers 
were permitted to allow 80% of 
their workforce to return to the 
workplace.
In the fourth stage, a total opening of mosques 
was allowed, all public gatherings, including 
weddings, exhibitions and conferences, 
recreational trips and cinemas were permitted 
with the proviso that, precautionary measures 
had to continue, limited services for public 
transportation such as the Doha metro and 
buses were provided, inbound flights were 
allowed to be expanded according to health 
guidelines, summer camps and clubs, cultural 
activities and sports gatherings were permitted 
to open for local and international competitions 
together with an organized public attendance, 
boat trips were allowed for leisure purposes, 
private health clinics were able to reopen at their 
full 100% capacity, the new academic year 
commenced with in-person classes, all malls, 
shops and markets were to open as normal, 
restaurants to gradually reopen for indoor dining, 
and museums, libraries, health clubs, gyms and 
pools, beauty centers, and barbershops and 
hairdressers were permitted to operate at full 
100% capacity, and finally the total opening of 
training centers and cleaning services, together 
with workplaces, were allowed to return to 100% 
capacity. 

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