The Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs (MADLSA) has asked companies to educate their workers about online remittance services as a substitute of exchange houses.

The government ordered to close exchange houses from March 26, following preventive and precautionary measures to curb the spread of COVID-19.

The Ministry also asked employers to educate domestic helps about the ways of online remittance which are available in a number of languages.

The money transfer service providers such as exchange houses, banks and Ooredoo Money have started sending text messages to customers and account holders.

The text messages explain how they can transfer the money to their homeland. “All the exchange shops are closed. No problem. Register on the Ooredoo Money (http://www.ooredoo.qa/omapp) app now and send up to QR3,500 per transaction using MoneyGram,” said Oreedoo Money in a text message to customers.

“Encourage your employees to go digital for their money transfer needs. Use our money app to send money to your loved ones without having to go out. Download the app now,” a major exchange house operating in Qatar has tweeted.

“Enjoy zero transfer charges with our App which is available now on IoS and Android. We are here for you and your family while you are staying safe at home,” said another famous exchange house on its social media site.

Some employees and workers of the companies operating in Doha and Industrial Area confirmed the smooth function of online remittance services through apps while sharing their experience with The Peninsula.

“I downloaded the app of my bank a couple of days ago. It took 24 hours to activate, enabling bank to bank transfer. I sent some money successfully to my parents yesterday,” said Hamidullah Khan, an Indian national working as an assistant in a construction company.

Khan said that his friend whose account was with another bank got access immediately just after downloading the app, without any activating time for making remittance.

The Government of the State of Qatar announced on March 25, the temporary closure of in-person money exchange and transfer service offices in Qatar starting, effective from March 26.