Qatar eases entry ahead of World Cup, scraps Covid-19 tests

Qatar eases entry ahead of World Cup, scraps Covid-19 tests
Ahead of the World Cup in November, Qatar's health ministry said visitors to the country will no longer need to present a negative Covid-19 test upon entry.
1 min read
26 October, 2022
Visitors will no longer need to present a negative Covid-19 test when entering Qatar after 1 November [Getty]

Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) has announced that visitors no longer need to present a negative Covid-19 test when entering the country, according to Qatari news outlet The Peninsula.

The move comes as the Gulf state prepares to host an estimated 1.2 million visitors for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

The relaxation of the regulations will come into effect from 1 November, amid a global decline in the number of Covid-19 cases. 

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All visitors, however, will still be required to disclose their health status on Ehteraz, Qatar’s official contact tracing application.  

The Ministry however stressed that all citizens, residents and visitors should continue to follow recommended precautionary guidelines to reduce the risk of infection, such as being fully vaccinated and getting tested if one experiences symptoms of Covid-19. 

The World Cup will kick off on 20 November, when hosts Qatar will open the tournament against Ecuador at the Al Bayt stadium.