Qatar scraps Covid-19 quarantine requirements for incoming travellers

Qatar has scrapped quarantine requirement for all incoming travellers, as it gears up to host the FIFA World Cup in November.

The country’s health ministry said that citizens and residents will be subject to a rapid antigen (RAT) test with 24 hours of arrival. Visitors, however, should bring a negative PCR test result, valid for 48 hours or a negative rapid antigen test result valid for 24 hours, Qatar News Agency reported.

Meanwhile, visitors who test positive for Covid-19 must undergo quarantine measures in accordance with the procedures followed in Qatar, at the time of arrival. The country has also shelved its red list for travellers.

These changes will come into effect, from 6pm local time on September 4.

Ministry of Health Announces Update of COVID-19 Travel Policy to State of Qatar. #QNA pic.twitter.com/KOsYSUXPlr

— Qatar News Agency (@QNAEnglish) August 31, 2022

Qatar is looking to welcome 1.2 million visitors to witness the FIFA World Cup, the rights for which it won back in 2010. The World Cup will commence on November 20, a day ahead of the original schedule, with hosts playing against Ecuador.

Read: FIFA World Cup may start one day earlier with Qatar-Ecuador game

The event, which will continue for 29 days and end on December 18, is estimated to add as much as $17bn to the country’s economy.