Doha: As Qatar is set to implement Cabinet’s decision of wearing mandatory face masks on stepping out of homes from tomorrow, the Ministry of Interior (MoI) has urged people to abide by safety measures issued by the authorities concerned to limit the spread of coronavirus.
From tomorrow, wearing face masks is mandatory for all upon leaving house for any reason, except in the case when a person is alone while driving a vehicle. The Ministry of Interior has been authorised under Cabinet’s decision to take the necessary measures in this regard.
In case of non-compliance, the penalties stipulated are fine not exceeding QR200,000, imprisonment for a period not exceeding three year or one of these two penalties.
Before the start of official implementation of Cabinet’s decision which was taken last Wednesday, the Ministry of Interior has launched an aggressive awareness campaign on this decision in many languages like English, Urdu, Malayalam so that everyone must comply with the government’s instructions to limit the spread of the virus.
The Ministry said that the violators will expose themselves to legal accountability. “Commitment to the decisions and precautionary measures taken by the State to prevent coronavirus embodies the concept of joint responsibility and enhances public safety,” the Ministry earlier said on its Twitter account.
In another tweet, the MoI also stressed on importance of following quarantine guidelines. “Adherence to the quarantine requirements will enhance public safety and avoids legal accountability,” the MoI said.
“Full compliance with the quarantine requirements means not to expose your self to violations, not to mingle with others and adhere to the laws and decisions of the country,” tweeted the Ministry of Interior.
The Ministry’s warnings come at a time when COVID-19 infected cases are on rise. Dr. Abdullatif Al Khal, Co-Chair of the National Pandemic Preparedness Committee and Head of Infectious Diseases at Hamad Medical Corporation said that the COVID-19 cases in Qatar has not yet reached the peak of the curve but has entered the peak phase.
He also said in a press conference on Thursday that lack of social distancing among community members during Ramadan led to an increase in the number of infection and the spread of coronavirus in Qatar.
The Ministry has also asked people, at numerous times, to report violations of the decision to prevent gatherings in public places and cases of non-compliance with health and preventive measures, through the 999 emergency numbers.
The Ministry of Interior had earlier clarified all forms of gatherings which are banned under law to prevent the spread of coronavirus include social functions at homes, majlis, mourning, Corniche, courtyards of mosques, social gatherings, beaches and public parks. It also had arrested, in recent weeks, a number of people for violating the decision to ban gatherings in public places.
SOURCE: THEPENINSULAQATAR