Good news for those traveling to Qatar for the FIFA World Cup 2022. There has been changes in Qatar’s quarantine rules. So, visiting the host country will be easier for fans. These new rules were announced recently.
The country has removed the mandatory quarantine requirement for foreign travelers. This has been done to facilitate ease of travel in line of FIFA World Cup 2022. Qatar has been easing travel restrictions slowly. Earlier it also announced the scrapping of its ‘Red List Classification’, which was about foreign nationals undergoing hotel quarantine. Travelers from countries on this list; such as India, had to undergo mandatory hotel quarantine upon their arrival in Qatar.
These new announcements have come just in time as the country is expected to host at least 1.5 million foreign visitors who will be arriving in Qatar for one of the biggest sporting events in the world – the FIFA World Cup, 2022. The event is scheduled from 20th November to 18th December, 2022.
But there are still some mandatory COVID-related requirements in place for travelers to Qatar.
All international visitors will need to carry a negative COVID report. The PCR test cannot be older than two days and the rapid antigen test cannot be older than a day. These time restrictions need to be current as per the travelers’ flight schedules. Travelers, who will test positive for COVID on arrival, will need to undergo quarantine as per the rules in the country at that time.
Travelers need to check the list of COVID vaccines Qatar has approved and accordingly get their shot before entering the country.
Travelers will also need to download Ehteraz, which is a mobile app. It will enable easier entries for visitors into public places in Qatar based on their ‘green’ health status. Travelers will need to register on www.ehteraz.gov.qa at least 3 days before their arrival in Qatar.
Travelers from countries such as India can also apply for visa-on-arrival. At least the change in Qatar’s quarantine rules is likely to be a welcome relief for those who plan to see the FIFA World Cup 2022 matches live in the host country. Other restrictions in place seem easier to handle in line with a global event. Similar rules are in place in almost every country. For instance, if you take flights to India, you will need to comply with the country’s COVID-related restrictions for foreign visitors or residents arriving from international locations.
