The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI) in its circular said that work hours for commercial and service activities in Qatar will be from 7am to 1pm from Sunday.
The measures are taken within the framework of the preventive and precautionary measures taken in Qatar to contain the COVID-19 outbreak and is inline with previous decisions and procedures.
But, several activities are excluded from the decision which include outlets selling food products, subsidised supplies, consumer goods, shops selling vegetables and fruits, maintenance companies, petroleum stations, car services, companies that deliver orders through electronic apps, logistic services, freight firms operating in ports, customs services and airports, car maintenance workshops affiliated with agencies, hospitality sector, pharmacies, bakeries and factories.
Restaurants, cafes and cafeterias are allowed to deliver or handover orders outside the business place. But, cafes and restaurants located within malls are exempted from this decision, and can process delivery orders. They are prohibited handing over orders to customers within and outside the premises.
All commercial activities in Qatar have been suspended on Fridays and Saturdays, and that still remains valid.
Also, retail outlets and shopping centres in malls will remain closed, except the food product selling outlets and pharmacies. However, all these outlets should abide by the decisions issued by the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs and the Health Ministry. In case of violations, the violators will be subject to legal accountability, the Ministry pointed out.
