Qatar University welcomed 50 percent employees in a clean environment in line with the implementation of the decisions issued by the University administration and pursuant to the directives issued by the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management.

To commence the second phase of the plan to gradually lift the restrictions imposed to reduce the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), the percentage of employees allowed at the workplace has been increased to 50 percent of the total number of employees.

The rest of the employees should carry out the tasks assigned to them remotely. Employees suffering from chronic diseases, pregnant women, and the elderly over the age of 60 years will continue to work remotely. As a precaution and preventive measure against the coronavirus, Qatar University, in cooperation with the Ministry of Municipality and Environment represented by the Municipality of Doha (Department of Gardens), sanitised and disinfected the entire university buildings and facilities in April.

Sanitisation, spraying and disinfection work included the internal streets of the campus, administrative buildings, various colleges and research centers, as well as the library and all car parks.

Eng. Mai Fetais, Director of Facilities and General Services at Department of Facilities and General Services, QU, said: “The department is sterilising buildings frequently and periodically to maintain the utmost safety and precautionary measures. We are implementing several precautionary measures.

The security will check employees’ temperatures upon entry and the employees with temperatures of 38 degrees Celsius and above will not be permitted to enter. Everyone should wear mask, gloves and practice social distancing.

Activation of the mobile application Ehteraz [is required] before entering the campus as the application is used by the security to check employees’ health status.” “Meetings will be held remotely via audio or visual platforms.

If it is not possible to hold a meeting remotely, in-person meetings must not include more than five people, while taking the necessary precautions prescribed by the Ministry of Public Health. We are taking the necessary steps to clean offices after official working hours and disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as desks, door handles, telephones and keyboards,” she added.