Doha: Ministry of Public Health announced an update to its Covid-19 travel and return policy, which will come into force from Wednesday, December 1, 2021 starting at 6pm arrival time in Qatar.
As per the latest update some of the countries recently added to the exceptional red list will have to undergo a home or hotel quarantine for seven days. Citizens will need a seven-day home or hotel quarantine, while GCC citizens will undergo seven days hotel quarantine and residents will have to be quarantined in hotel for two days and five days at home. Meanwhile, the visitors from these countries will be subject to hotel quarantine upon arrival. The new policy is for those coming from some Exceptional Red List countries which include Botswana, Egypt, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe. (Read: Qatar changes Covid-19 travel and return policy for some exceptional red list countries)
Non-residents of Qatar must register via the pre-registration system for people entering the State of Qatar on www.ehteraz.gov.qa website and upload all relevant documents such as vaccine certificate at least 3 days before arrival. Although pre-registration is optional for citizens and residents of Qatar, the Ministry of Public Health recommends that all individuals entering Qatar pre-register to ensure the best experience upon arrival in Qatar.
Additionally, PCR test result is no longer required during the electronic pre-registration process. Instead, travelers must present the original copy of the PCR test result to the airlines in order to allow them to board the plane, or at the country’s ports (land and sea). Note that the Ministry of Public Health has the right to conduct random examinations of travelers upon arrival in a country Qatar through its air, land and sea ports.
Travelers should download the Ehteraz mobile application and activate it on their mobile phones using a local or international SIM card.
All passengers must sign an Undertaking and Acknowledgement Form before arriving in Qatar. The form is available on the Ministry of Public Health website, pre-registration platform website (www.ehteraz.gov.qa) and airline online booking form.
Qatar has now classified countries into two lists, Green and Red, in addition to a secondary list of Exceptional Red Countries based on international and local health risk indicators and the epidemiology of Covid-19 in the different countries. The MoPH travel and return policy can be accessed here.
Policies for those coming from GREEN list countries
Group A: Citizens, GCC citizens and residents of Qatar
I. Citizens and Residents
Quarantine policy
1. Travelers who are fully vaccinated, inside or outside Qatar, by a vaccine recognized by the Ministry of Public Health:
The following categories will be exempt from quarantine:
Everyone aged 12 years and above.
Children aged 11 years and below and accompanied by one or both of their parents/family members who are fully vaccinated.
These travelers are exempted from requiring a negative PCR result within 72 hours before arrival to Qatar.
Passengers with a conditionally certified vaccine must perform a Serology Antibody test before arriving in Qatar and if the passenger is unable to take the test in the country of departure, the passenger must undergo home quarantine for 7 days.
After arrival: Conduct a PCR test within 36 hours of arriving in Qatar as follows:
Everyone aged 12 years and older.
Children 4 years and older accompanying one or both their parents who are fully vaccinated.
Children aged 3 years and below accompanying one or both parents who are fully vaccinated are exempt.
Go to one of the Primary Health Care Corporation health centers or a private clinic/hospital to get a PCR test done
2. Passengers who are not vaccinated or who have not completed the necessary vaccination doses:
Passengers will undergo home quarantine for 7 days, as follows:
Everyone who has not completed the required vaccine doses.
Undergo a PCR test with a negative result 72 hours before arrival in Qatar
A PCR test is required on the sixth day of quarantine and the individual will be released on the seventh day if the result of the COVID-19 test is negative.
Go to one of the Primary Health Care Corporation health centers or a private clinic/hospital.
Quarantine policy
1. Travelers who are fully vaccinated, inside or outside Qatar, by a vaccine recognized by the Ministry of Public Health or who have :
The following categories will be exempt from quarantine:
Everyone aged 12 years and above.
Children aged 11 years and below and accompanied by one or both of their parents/family members who are fully vaccinated.
Before arrival:
Conduct a PCR test with a negative result within 72 hours before arrival to Qatar (all age groups).
Children aged 3 years and below accompanying one or both parents who are fully vaccinated are exempt.
Passengers with a conditionally certified vaccine must perform a Serology Antibody test before arriving in Qatar and if the passenger is unable to take the test in the country of departure, the passenger must undergo home quarantine for 7 days.
After arrival:
Not required
2 . Travelers who are not fully vaccinated or ineligible for the vaccine or who have not completed the required vaccine doses:
This group (all ages) will be subject to hotel quarantine for 7 days upon arrival in the country.
The following category will be subject to home quarantine for 7 days upon arrival in the country:
GCC citizens (non-residents) coming to stay with first-degree relatives residing in Qatar (on the condition that they provide proof of the relationship and national address data).
Before arrival:
Conduct a negative PCR test within 72 hours before arrival to Qatar (All age groups).
After arrival:
A PCR test is required on the sixth day of quarantine and the individual will be released on the seventh day if the result of the COVID-19 test is negative.
PCR tests can be done at:
In the case of hotel quarantine: in the quarantine hotel.
In the case of home quarantine: private clinics/hospitals approved by the Ministry of Public Health to conduct this test.
Group B: Visitors to Qatar with pre-approved and on-arrival visas
1. Travelers who are fully vaccinated by a vaccine approved by the Ministry of Public Health or who have received one of the conditionally approved vaccines
The following categories will be exempt from quarantine:
Travelers aged 12 years and above.
Children aged 11 years below and accompanied by one or both of their parents/family members who are fully vaccinated.
Before arrival:
Conduct a PCR test with a negative result within 72 hours before arrival to Qatar (all age groups).
Children aged 3 years and below accompanying one or both parents who are fully vaccinated are exempt.
Passengers with a conditionally certified vaccine must perform a Serology Antibody test before arriving in Qatar and if the passenger is unable to take the test in the country of departure, the passenger must undergo hotel quarantine for 7 days.
After arrival:
Not required
2. Travelers who are not fully vaccinated or who have not completed the required vaccine doses:
This group (all ages) will be subject to hotel quarantine for 7 days upon arrival in the country.
The following category will be subject to home quarantine for 7 days upon arrival in the country:
Travelers with pre-issued family visas to visit one of their first-degree relatives residing in Qatar (on the condition that they provide proof of the relationship and national address data).
Before arrival:
Conduct a negative PCR test within 72 hours before arrival to Qatar (All age groups).
After arrival:
A PCR test is required on the sixth day of quarantine and the individual will be released on the seventh day if the result of the COVID-19 test is negative.
PCR test places:
In the case of hotel quarantine: in the quarantine hotel.
In the case of home quarantine: private clinics/hospitals approved by the Ministry of Public Health to conduct this test.
Policies for those coming from RED list countries
Group A: Citizens, GCC citizens, and residents of Qatar
I. Citizens and residents of Qatar
1. Travelers who are fully vaccinated, inside or outside Qatar, by a vaccine approved by the Ministry of Public Health, or who have a conditionally approved vaccine, or who have recovered from COVID-19 inside Qatar and 14 days have passed from the date of recovery:
The following categories will be exempted from home quarantine upon arrival in the country after a negative PCR test result appears:
Everyone aged 12 years and above.
Children aged 11 years and below accompanied by one or both of their parents/family members who are fully vaccinated.
Before arrival:
Conduct a PCR test with a negative result within 72 hours before arrival to Qatar (all age groups).
Passengers with a conditionally certified vaccine must perform a Serology Antibody test before arriving in Qatar and if the passenger is unable to take the test in the country of departure, the passenger must undergo home quarantine for 7 days.
After arrival:
Conduct a PCR test within 36 hours of arriving in Qatar (All age groups).
Places to take a test (PCR):
Primary Health Care Corporation health centers
Private clinics/hospitals licensed by the Ministry of Public Health to conduct this test.
2. Travelers who are not fully vaccinated or ineligible for the vaccine or who have not completed the required vaccine doses:
This group (all ages) will be subject to home quarantine for 7 days upon arrival in the country.
Before arrival:
Conduct a PCR test with a negative result within 72 hours before arrival to Qatar (all age groups).
After arrival:
A PCR test is required on the sixth day of quarantine and the individual will be released on the seventh day if the result of the COVID-19 test is negative (all age groups)
Places to take a test (PCR):
Primary Health Care Corporation health centers
Private clinics/hospitals licensed by the Ministry of Public Health to conduct this test.
II. GCC Citizens:
Quarantine policy:
1. Travelers who are fully vaccinated, inside or outside Qatar, by a vaccine approved by the Ministry of Public Health, or who have a conditionally approved vaccine, or who have recovered from COVID-19 within a GCC country and 14 days have passed from the date of recovery, provided that one dose of a MOPH approved vaccine has been given:
These travelers (all age groups) will be subject to hotel quarantine for two days upon arrival in the country.
Before arrival:
Conduct a PCR test with a negative result within 72 hours before arrival to Qatar (all age groups).
Passengers with a conditionally certified vaccine must perform a Serology Antibody test before arriving in Qatar and if the passenger is unable to take the test in the country of departure, the passenger must undergo hotel quarantine for 7 days.
After arrival:
Conduct a PCR test at the quarantine hotel (All age groups)
2 . Travelers who are not fully vaccinated or who have not completed the required vaccine doses:
This group (all ages) will be subject to hotel quarantine for 7 upon arrival in the country.
The following category will be subject to home quarantine for 7 days upon arrival in the country:
GCC citizens (non-residents) coming to stay with first-degree relatives residing in Qatar (on the condition that they provide proof of the relationship and national address data).
Before arrival:
Conduct a negative PCR test within 72 hours before arrival to Qatar (All age groups).
After arrival:
A PCR test is required on the sixth day of quarantine and the individual will be released on the seventh day if the result of the COVID-19 test is negative (all age groups).
Places to take a test (PCR):
In the case of home quarantine: private clinics/hospitals approved by the Ministry of Public Health to conduct the test.
In the case of hotel quarantine: in the quarantine hotel.
Group B: Visitors to Qatar with pre-approved and on-arrival visas
Quarantine policy:
1. Travellers who are fully vaccinated by a vaccine approved by the Ministry of Public Health or a conditionally approved vaccine
The following categories will be subject to hotel quarantine for two days upon arrival in the country:
Everyone aged 12 years and older.
Children aged 11 years and below accompanied by one or both of their parents/family members who are fully vaccinated.
Before arrival:
Conduct a negative PCR test within 72 hours before arrival to Qatar (All age groups)
Passengers with a conditionally certified vaccine must perform a Serology Antibody test before arriving in Qatar and if the passenger is unable to take the test in the country of departure, the passenger must undergo hotel quarantine for 7 days.
After arrival:
Conduct a PCR test at the quarantine hotel (All age groups).
2. Travelers who are not fully vaccinated or who have not completed the required vaccine doses:
This group (of all age groups) will be subject to hotel quarantine for 7 days upon arrival in the country.
The following category will be subject to home quarantine for 7 days upon arrival in the country:
Travelers with pre-issued family visas to visit one of their first-degree relatives residing in Qatar (on the condition that they provide proof of the relationship and national address data).
Before arrival:
Conduct a negative PCR test within 72 hours before arrival to Qatar (All age groups).
After arrival:
A PCR test is required on the sixth day of quarantine and the individual will be released on the seventh day if the result of the COVID-19 test is negative (all age groups).
Places to take a test (PCR):
In the case of home quarantine: private clinics/hospitals approved by the Ministry of Public Health to conduct the test.
In the case of hotel quarantine: in the quarantine hotel.
Policies for those coming from the Exceptional RED List countries:
Group A: Citizens, GCC citizens, and Residents of Qatar
1. Fully vaccinated travelers:
These travelers will be subject to a home quarantine for 2 days upon arrival in the country.
Before arrival:
Conduct a negative PCR test within 72 hours before arrival to Qatar (All age groups).
After arrival:
Conduct a PCR test within 36 hours of arriving in Qatar (All age groups).
Places to take a test (PCR):
Primary Health Care Corporation health centers
Private clinics/hospitals licensed by the Ministry of Public Health to conduct this test.
2. Unvaccinated travelers:
These travelers will be subject to a home quarantine for 7 days upon arrival in the country.
Before arrival:
Conduct a negative PCR test within 72 hours before arrival to Qatar
After arrival:
A PCR test is required on the sixth day of quarantine and the individual will be released on the seventh day if the result of the COVID-19 test is negative (all age groups).
Places to take a test (PCR):
Primary Health Care Corporation health centers
Private clinics/hospitals licensed by the Ministry of Public Health to conduct this test.
II. Residents of Qatar and GCC citizens
Quarantine policy:
1. Fully vaccinated travelers:
These travelers will be subject to hotel quarantine for 2 days upon arrival in Qatar.
Before arrival:
Conduct a negative PCR test within 72 hours before arrival to Qatar (All age groups).
After arrival:
The PCR test will be done on the first day at the quarantine hotel after arrival (all age groups).
2. Unvaccinated travelers:
These travelers will be subject to hotel quarantine for 7 days upon arrival in Qatar.
Before arrival:
Conduct a negative PCR test within 72 hours before arrival to Qatar (All age groups).
After arrival:
A PCR test is required on the sixth day of quarantine and the individual will be released on the seventh day if the result of the COVID-19 test is negative (all age groups).
Places to take a test (PCR):
The quarantine hotel.
Group B: Visitors to Qatar with pre-approved and on-arrival visas
Quarantine policy:
1. Fully vaccinated travelers:
These travelers will be subject to hotel quarantine for 2 days upon arrival in Qatar.
Before arrival:
Conduct a negative PCR test within 72 hours before arrival to Qatar (All age groups).
After arrival:
The PCR test will be done on the first day at the quarantine hotel after arrival (all age groups).
2. Unvaccinated travelers
Entry is not allowed
Policies for those coming from SOME Exceptional Red List countries: Botswana, Egypt, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Group A: Citizens, GCC citizens, and residents of Qatar
1. Fully vaccinated and Unvaccinated travelers:
These travelers will be subject to a home quarantine for 7 days upon arrival in the country, with the option to choose to undergo hotel quarantine if desired.
Before arrival:
Conduct a negative PCR test within 72 hours before arrival in Qatar.
After arrival:
In the case of home quarantine (all age groups):
Conduct a PCR test on arrival in Qatar at one of the ports.
A PCR test will be performed on arrival on the sixth day and if a negative test result appears, the person will be released from quarantine on the seventh day.
In the case of hotel quarantine (all age groups):
The PCR test will be done on the first day at the quarantine hotel after arrival.
A PCR test will be performed on the sixth day and if the test result is negative, the person will be released from quarantine on the seventh day.
II. GCC Citizens:
Quarantine policy:
1. Fully vaccinated and Unvaccinated travelers:
These travelers will be subject to hotel quarantine for 7 days upon arrival in Qatar.
Before arrival:
Conduct a negative PCR test within 72 hours before arrival in Qatar (All age groups).
After arrival:
The PCR test will be done on the first day at the quarantine hotel after arrival (all age groups).
A PCR test will be performed on the sixth day and if the test result is negative, the person will be released from quarantine on the seventh day (all age groups).
III. Residents of Qatar
1. Fully vaccinated travelers:
These travelers will be subject to quarantine for 7days upon arrival as follow:
Hotel quarantine for 2 days
Home quarantine for 5 days
Before arrival:
Conduct a negative PCR test within 72 hours before arrival in Qatar (All age groups).
After arrival:
The PCR test will be done on the first day at the quarantine hotel after arrival (all age groups).
A PCR test will be performed on the sixth day and if the test result is negative, the person will be released from quarantine on the seventh day (all age groups).
Places to take a test (PCR):
In case of hotel quarantine:
quarantine hotel
In case of home quarantine:
Primary Health Care Corporation health centers
Private clinics/hospitals licensed by the Ministry of Public Health to conduct this test.
2. Unvaccinated travelers:
These travelers will be subject to hotel quarantine for 7 days upon arrival in Qatar.
Before arrival:
Conduct a negative PCR test within 72 hours before arrival in Qatar (All age groups).
After arrival:
The PCR test will be done on the first day at the quarantine hotel after arrival (all age groups).
A PCR test will be performed on the sixth day and if the test result is negative, the person will be released from quarantine on the seventh day (all age groups).
Group B: Visitors to Qatar with pre-approved and on-arrival visas
Quarantine policy:
1. Fully vaccinated travelers:
These travelers will be subject to hotel quarantine for 7 days upon arrival in Qatar.
Before arrival:
Conduct a negative PCR test within 72 hours before arrival to Qatar (All age groups)
After arrival:
The PCR test will be done on the first day at the quarantine hotel after arrival (all age groups).
A PCR test will be performed on the sixth day and if the test result is negative, the person will be released from quarantine on the seventh day (all age groups).
2. Unvaccinated travelers
Entry is not allowed
