The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) said today in a circular that working hours for commercial and service activities in Qatar will be from 7 am to 8 pm from Thursday, June 4. The steps are taken within the framework of the preventive and precautionary measures taken in Qatar to contain the COVID-19 outbreak and in line with previous decisions and procedures.

However, some activities are excluded from the decision which include outlets selling food products, consumer goods, and subsidised supplies (hypermarkets, supermarkets, and groceries), shops selling fruit and vegetables, petrol stations and car services, maintenance companies (electricity, plumbing and electronics services), companies delivering orders through electronic apps, logistics services companies and freight firms operating in ports, airports and customs services, car maintenance workshops affiliated with agencies, pharmacies, companies operating in the hospitality sector, factories, telecommunications companies and bakeries. Also contracting and engineering companies (allowed to operate in construction sites along with affiliated engineering offices)
“Restaurants, cafeterias and cafes (coffee shops) that are allowed to deliver or hand over orders to customers outside the business place. However restaurants and cafes located in malls are exempt from this decision and are only allowed to process home delivery orders. These outlets are prohibited from handing over orders to customers, both inside and outside the premises,” said the ministry in a tweet.

The Ministry statement also added:

1- The decision to close retail outlets in malls, popular markets and shopping centres remains valid, with the exception of outlets selling food products and pharmacies.

2- The decision to suspend the activities of health clubs and centres, barbershops and beauty salons – including those that offer home services – remains applicable.

All companies and retail outlets must comply with the decisions issued by the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs and the Ministry of Public Health in this regard.
Any violation of this decision’s provisions will subject perpetrators to legal accountability.

This decision, which was issued on Wednesday, June 3rd, 2020, may be subject to amendments and updates according to the latest developments in this regard. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry calls on all citizens and residents to seek information only from official sources, and to consult the Ministry’s website and social media pages for the latest news and updates.