To contain COVID-19 pandemic, the Cabinet yesterday made wearing facemasks compulsory for all citizens and residents upon leaving house for any reason.

Prime Minister and Minister of Interior H E Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani chaired the Cabinet regular meeting, held yesterday evening via video conference.

1- To compel all citizens and residents upon leaving house for any reason to wear masks, except in the case when a person is alone while driving a vehicle, and the Ministry of Interior takes the necessary measures in this regard.

2- In case of non-compliance with this decision, the penalties stipulated in Decree Law No. (17) of 1990 regarding the prevention of infectious diseases shall be applied to  violator by imprisonment for a period not exceeding three years and a fine not exceeding QR (200,000) two hundred thousand , or one of these two penalties.

3- This decision is effective from Sunday (May 17, 2020), until further notice.