Qatar lifts COVID entry test requirement for World Cup fans

Gulf Today Report

World Cup hosts Qatar have lifted the requirement for visitors to obtain a negative COVID-19 test before leaving for the Gulf Arab state.

Earlier, Qatar told fans attending the World Cup that they had to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test regardless of vaccination status, before departure by plane or when crossing the border.

Qatar expects an unprecedented 1.2 million visitors from November 20 to Dec.18.

Residents of Qatar no longer need to take a COVID-19 test within 24 hours of returning to the country from abroad.

The Ministry of Health has also lifted the requirement for adults to show their COVID-19 status on a government-run smartphone contact tracing app called Ehteraz.

Visitors and residents must always show the application before entering a health facility, according to the statement.

Qatar eases restrictions as the number of COVID-19 cases (is) continues to fall.

Last week, Qatar relaxed its mask rules and now only requires masks for people visiting health facilities.

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