Qatar Works Hard To Combat Coronavirus

Qatar Works Hard To Combat Coronavirus

Qatar Works Hard To Combat Coronavirus

In our last post, we looked at the various measures put in place by the Qatari government to slow the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) within Qatar. Encouraging everyone in Qatar to stay at home as much as possible, the Qatari government was quick to close schools, curb travel, and asked those who could to work remotely from home.

So, what has been done to follow up those changes in the past week or so?

Extending Hospital Facilities

Understanding the need for additional medical facilities to allow for the effective treatment of coronavirus cases, the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) is building a field hospital with the capacity to hold 150 beds indoors, and a shaded space outdoors offering a capacity for 800 beds, with all the required equipment and supplies.

Cleaning & Sanitising Public Areas

Working together to ensure public spaces are cleaned and sanitised, the Ministry of Municipality and Environment and other associated municipalities continue to clean, disinfect and sterilise using a Clorox based “mist spray” technology.

Ramping Up Online Services

Whether we are working, keeping in contact with friends or family, or staying updated with the latest news, internet access is now an essential to everyday life. With this in mind, Ooredoo has launched its #StayHomeWithOoredoo campaign, allowing users access to faster speeds and extra data as they work, home school and play at home.

Meanwhile, various companies are encouraging customers to stay at home, and to contact them online rather than visit their offices in person. These include the Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa) and the Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB).

Supporting Home Schooling

In an effort to support parents as they transition to home schooling, the Qatar Media Corporation (QMC) has worked in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education to create two TV channels affiliated to Qatar TV, named Education 1 and Education 2.

The two stations can be found on the following frequencies:

• Satellite: Badr 4
• Frequency: 12169
• Polarization: Vertical
• Error Correction: 3/4
• Symbol Rate: 22000

Promoting Health & Activity

Remaining active isn’t easy when you’re stuck indoors. But, getting regular exercise is incredibly important in the fight to stay healthy, and can also help stave off depression. While you may not be able to go to gym, there are some great options available to you that will allow you to stay active at home.

• Vishnu Swasthi Yoga offers a free daily online class designed to raise immunity, which can be accessed at 7.30pm through his Instagram account (https://www.instagram.com/vishnuswasthiyoga/)
• Visit CrossFit Doha’s Instagram account to take part in the gym’s home workout series and its new weekly lockdown challenge (https://www.instagram.com/crossfitdoha/)
• Access Frontline Fitness & Sports through the gym’s Instagram account to take part in free workouts for members and non-members (https://www.instagram.com/frontlinefitness_/)
• Try out Personalised High-Intensity Interval Training at PHIIT Training Studio by following daily workouts posted on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/phiitstudioqa/)
• Join the free live stream classes every day at Warriorfit to take part in yoga or functional HIIT with no equipment needed (https://www.instagram.com/realwarriorfit/)
• Qatar Sports for All Federation broadcasts live every day at 4pm, offering daily workouts to encourage every Qatari citizen and resident to stay healthy and active (https://www.instagram.com/qasportsforall/)

Extending Return & Replacement Period

Allowing customers additional time to return and replace items now that retail stores are closed, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry has announced that it is extending the return and replacement period for goods and merchandise. That will mean the closure period will not count towards to the overall time allowed by each store’s return and replacement policy.

Fixing Prices on Face Masks & Food

Those wishing to purchase face masks can now expect standardised pricing, thanks to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. All face masks sold in Qatar will now be limited in price, with the price varying according to the type of mask.

The MOCI also announced limits on the price of fruit and vegetables, as well as on seafood and fish. This followed a decision to limit pricing on hand sanitiser and antiseptic, after a spike in demand – and a resultant spike in pricing.

Asking Qataris To Help Others

Launching the initiative #Volunteer_For_Qatar, Qatar Charity is asking for volunteers to assist the government in its efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

Volunteers must be either a Qatari citizen or a resident of the State of Qatar, at least 18 years old, and must be medically fit to perform the tasks assigned to them. So far, 7,460 have volunteered. If you’d like to join them, register using the link http://qch.qa/volunteer.

Fusion is doing its part to combat the spread of coronavirus and is now working remotely. However, we are continuing with day-to-day operations and are free to answer any questions or concerns you may have.