All unvaccinated employees working in private and public sectors in Qatar are now required to take up weekly Covid-19 tests.
Workers who are yet to receive two doses of the coronavirus vaccine, and have not recovered from Covid-19 previously, will have to rake the rapid antigen tests every seven days.
However, anyone with a health condition that does not allow them to take the coronavirus vaccine will be exempted from testing.
The Ministry of Public Health approved the Rapid antigen tests at the end of May, having set the price at private healthcare facilities at QR50. These tests help detect Covid-19 virus antigen in the first week of infection, which is when people are most infectious.
Anybody who tests positive with rapid antigen test should immediately take a PCR test to confirm infection.
Till date, 69 percent of the population in Qatar have received at least one dose of the vaccine, while 88.9 percent of people who are over 60, which is the most vulnerable group, have received both vaccines.
Qatar had announced that phase two of lifting of restrictions will begin from 18th June. In this phase, there will be increased capacity at gyms, restaurants and spas, but unvaccinated individuals will still not be allowed.
From 18th June, children under the age 12 are also allowed to visit souks, malls and wholesale markets too.
