Qatar Cabinet further eases COVID-19 curbs

People will not be required to wear masks outdoors in most cases from next week as Qatar's Cabinet on Wednesday gave its approval for the long-delayed fourth phase of lifting COVID-19 restrictions.

However masks are still a must in enclosed public places and in the premises of mosques, schools, universities and hospitals, the Qatar News Agency said. All employees, whose nature of work requires them to be in open spaces and in contact with customers, must wear masks during their work period, it added.

The rollback plan, announced in May this year, was set to take place in four phases — the first on May 28, the second on June 18 and the third on July 9. Although the fourth phase had been slated for July 30, it was postponed.

As per the latest Cabinet decision, the fourth phase will now be implemented on October 3, when masks will not be mandatory in open spaces, except for in crowded events like an exhibition or in places like a market.