The Ministry Of Commerce and Industry (MOCI) issued a circular regarding setting work hours for commercial and service activities to be from 31st May 2020 from 7 am to 1 pm, and the following activities are excluded from the decision to specify working times.
The steps are taken within the framework of the preventive and precautionary measures taken in Qatar to contain the coronavirus outbreak and in line with previous decisions and procedures.
However, many activities are excluded from the decision which includes outlets selling food products, consumer goods and subsidised supplies (hypermarkets, supermarkets and groceries), shops selling fruit and vegetables, petroleum 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, and bakeries.
Restaurants, cafeterias and cafes (coffee shops) 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 delivery orders. These outlets are prohibited from handing over orders to customers, both inside and outside the premises, said the MOCI.
The cessation of all commercial activities in stores and offices on Fridays and Saturdays remains valid, and the activities specified previously are exempt from this decision, said the Ministry. It added that the decision to close retail outlets in malls and shopping centres remains valid, with the exception of outlets selling food products and pharmacies.
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 provisions will subject perpetrators to legal accountability, said the Ministry.
