Qatar confirms Covid-19 test requirements for World Cup fans

• Image Credit: Google

• Sep 29, 2022 | Dhupali Das

All visitors must also download Ehteraz, a government-run mobile application that keeps track on people's...

Digital Desk: As part of the host country's COVID-19 prevention measures, fans travelling to the World Cup in Qatar must present a negative Covid-19 test upon arrival, the tournament's organizers announced on Thursday.

All visitors must also download Ehteraz, a government-run mobile application that keeps track of people's movements and health status.

"A green Ehteraz (showing the user does not have a confirmed case of COVID-19) is required to enter any public closed indoor spaces," World Cup organizers said. Visitors must be able to show a negative result from a PCR test taken in the 48 hours before arriving or from an official rapid test taken within 24 hours. The COVID-19 testing policy for visitors aged six and over is "regardless of the individual’s vaccination status," the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy said in a statement.

Vaccination is not mandatory for the 1.2 million expected visitors for the Nov. 20-Dec. 18 tournaments. Rapid antigen tests completed within the preceding twenty-four hours prior to landing in Qatar will only be accepted if they are from authorized medical facilities and were not self-administered. If spectators do not exhibit Covid-19 symptoms, no more testing is necessary in Qatar.

The decisions extend throughout the World Cup public health measures, which have been in effect since September 4 for all visitors coming to Qatar.

On public transportation, including the subway that many fans will use to travel to the eight stadiums in and around Doha, masks are required.

According to statistics obtained since 2020 by Johns Hopkins University in the United States, Qatar has reported approximately 450,000 verified cases of COVID-19 and 682 deaths from the disease. Qatar has a population estimated to be at least 2.5 million, although only about 350,000 of those are Qatari citizens.

Government data states that more than 97% of Qatar's population has received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccination. "Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 while in Qatar will be required to isolate in accordance with Ministry of Public Health guidelines," World Cup organizers said.