Doha: Hotel quarantine is required for visitors to Qatar on red-listed countries, including India. Earlier guidelines stated that those taking two doses of the approved wax in Qatar do not need quarantine. But the sudden change left passengers confused.
Receiving quarantine instructions was via email
Only those who have been fully vaccinated, pre-registered and authorized on the Ihtiras website can enter Qatar on an on-arrival visa. However, those who have registered in this manner have been notified by email that they need a 10-day hotel quarantine. With this, the passengers are confused. The email states that the trip to Qatar has been approved, but at the end of the message is a 10-day hotel quarantine. Passengers who call the Ihtiras helpline to clear their doubts are advised to follow the instructions in the email.
Explanation that a refund may be sought
This was in response to a recent travel policy by the Qatari Ministry of Health stating that hotel quarantines are not required for people from Red List countries, including India. However, as per the instructions in the e – mail, after booking the hotel quarantine and traveling, the Discover Qatar Helpdesk at the Qatar Airport can try to refund the amount. However, no official announcement has been made in this regard.
5000 riyals should be kept in hand
Qatar, meanwhile, has tightened the requirement for on-arrival visa holders to carry 5,000 riyals. The other day, several passengers who arrived on an on – arrival visa to go to Saudi Arabia via Qatar were stranded at Hamad International Airport for a long time. Earlier it was suggested that those coming on on arrival visa should keep 5000 riyals but it was not strictly enforced. Such a proposal is to ensure that the money is available for the expenses required to stay in Doha. The condition is to have a bank card of 5000 riyals equivalent. The expatriates are traveling through Qatar to bypass the direct travel ban from India to Saudi Arabia. The goal is to fly to Saudi Arabia after a 14 – day stay in Qatar.
The PCR test is no longer from PHCCs
Mandatory PCR screening for those coming from Red List countries including India has been shifted to Primary Health Centers. The new law stipulates that the test must be performed within 36 hours of landing in Doha. Until now, people from redlisted countries were required to leave Doha airport only after a test. Arrangements for this were made at the airport. At present, however, those arriving in Doha are advised to go to the nearest PHCC for testing. For this, the airport authorities affix a special sticker on the travel document. Passenger information will be passed on to PHCCs. The test fee is 300 riyals. The PHCCs have also been directed to hand over the names of those who did not take the test to the authorities.
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