FIFA World Cup: Qatar To Scrap Pre-Arrival Covid Test Before Global Tournament, Says Report

The health ministry, however, stressed the need for all citizens, residents and visitors to continue to follow the standard precautionary measures to reduce the risk of Covid infection.

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New Delhi: Qatar is set to do away with the requirement for visitors to obtain a negative Covid-19 test report on arrival from November, health ministry said on Wednesday. The decision comes a month ahead of FIFA World Cup that begins on November 20, reported news agency AFP.

“Visitors are no longer required to present a negative Covid-19 PCR or Rapid Antigen Test result before travelling to Qatar,” a statement by the health ministry read. The move will be effective from November 1.

The health ministry, however, stressed the need for all citizens, residents and visitors to continue to follow the standard precautionary measures to reduce the risk of Covid infection.

The measures include being fully vaccinated against Covid-19, following regular hand hygiene, getting tested if one experiences Covid-19 symptoms and following a healthy lifestyle. 

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The travellers are also reminded to visit the Ministry’s Covid-19 Travel and Return Policy website to remain updated with all the latest policy requirements.

It is to be noted that the relaxed measures, effective from November 1, were announced after Qatar said Covid vaccinations were not mandatory for the expected million-plus fans last month.

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The 29-day football tournament will be the first major global sporting event with fans since the Covid pandemic erupted in December 2019.

Notably, the new guidelines cover all visitors arriving from November 1, when Qatar will be closed to anyone without a Hayya card -- the mandatory document given to ticket holders and their guests, players, media, staff and officials.

According to data from the Ministry of Public Health, Qatar, which has a population of nearly 3 million, has recorded more than 440,000 confirmed cases of Covid-19 and 692 deaths from the virus.