BUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 1 Tokyo 2020 will not start on Sheikh Abdulla bin Ali July 24: IOC bin Jabor al-Thani elected member Commercial Bank chairman Pound published in QATAR since 1978 TUESDAY Vol. XXXXI No. 11497 March 24, 2020 Rajab 29, 1441 AH GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals In brief Support for health workers Amir, Erdogan discuss ways to combat virus Customs duties on His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani held a telephone conversation yesterday evening with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during which 905 food, medical they discussed ways to boost and develop the strategic relations between the two countries. The two countries’ eff orts to combat the new coronavirus (Covid -19) and ways to co-operate to reduce its spread items dropped and prevent it, were also reviewed during the phone call. Amir holds phone talk he General Authority of Cus- medical equipment, they include coronavirus (Covid-19), His High- with Armenia president toms (GAC) has exempted facemasks, sanitisers, soap products, ness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Ha- Tmedical and food items from cleaners, sanitary wipes, and person- mad al-Thani had ordered to initiate a His Highness the Amir Sheikh duties following the instruction of al and house hygiene products. set of decisions and measures to help Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani held His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim Meanwhile, coordination has been people lead a normal life. yesterday a telephone conversation Medical staff from the Fundacion Jimenez Diaz hospital applaud as neighbours bin Hamad al-Thani to spare these maintained between the GAC and the Announcing the initiative, HE Lol- with Armenian President Dr applaud from their balconies yesterday in support for healthcare workers, during from levies for six months, as part Ministry of Commerce and Industry wah Rashid AlKhater, Assistant For- Armen Sarkissian. During the call, the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak, in Madrid. of the economic measures taken by (MoCI) to list the food and medical eign Minister and Spokesperson for they discussed bilateral relations the country to fi ght the spread of the items that should be exempted from the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs, said and prospects for strengthening novel coronavirus (Covid-19). customs duties to enforce the deci- food and medical goods will be ex- and developing them. They also The GAC has started implementing sion. The MoCI has approved a full empt from customs duties for a pe- discussed the eff orts of the two this directive after it was announced list of these with their names, which riod of six months, provided that this countries regarding combating the by the Supreme Committee for Crisis can be reviewed at the GAC website at is refl ected in the selling price to the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) and MoPH is in urgent need of Management. Accordingly, customs www.customs.gov.qa consumer. ways of co-operation to combat the duties for 905 diff erent listed items at Intensifying its fi ght against the “A number of sectors will be ex- epidemic. Al Nadeeb e-customs clearance system novel coronavirus (Covid-19), Qatar empt from electricity and water volunteers to fi ght Covid-19 have been dropped. These included ba- last week had announced a slew of charges for a period of six months. 7 new cases reported; 4 sic food items, and a number of medical measures including a mega fi nancial They include, hospitality and tour- more cured of Covid-19 equipment and tools for protection and package of QR75bn to support the ism sector; retail sector; small and ith the Ministry of Public over the next three months, according personal and home hygiene. private sector. medium industries sector; com- The Ministry of Public Health Health (MoPH) seeking vol- to the MoPH. The basic food items excepted in- Presiding over the Supreme Com- mercial complexes, in exchange for (MoPH) announced yesterday 7 new Wunteers to support Qatar’s The volunteers’ responsibilities will clude meat, fi sh, milk, cheese, leg- mittee for Crisis Management meet- providing services and exemptions confirmed cases of the coronavirus response to the Covid-19 outbreak, include supporting medical practice, umes, oils, bakery and pastry prod- ing that reviewed Qatar’s prepared- to tenants, as well as logistics areas,” disease 2019 (Covid-19) in Qatar and those interested have been encouraged raising public health awareness, lo- ucts, juices and others. As for the ness to combat the spread of the new she pointed out. said 4 more people who have been to apply as quickly as possible by click- gistics and more. They will be based at undergoing treatment have now ing on the link: https://www.covid- medical facilities across the country. recovered. According to information 19vol.qa/ Spokesperson for the Supreme available on the ministry’s website, In a statement on its website yester- Committee for Crisis Management, 20 food stores shut for violations the new cases of infection are day, the MoPH said the ‘National Vol- HE Lolwah Rashid AlKhater, said: “We related to expatriate workers and unteering Campaign: For Qatar’ has are looking for volunteers to help Qa- Doha Municipality has issued administrative decisions travellers who recently entered been launched to “ease the strain on tar’s healthcare sector as the number to close some 20 food establishments across Doha the country, including two Qatari Qatar’s resources during the pandemic”. of Covid-19 cases increases and cre- and the Industrial Area for periods ranging from 5 to citizens. The new infected cases Volunteers will initially be required ates a strain on resources. We need to 30 days, it has been announced. Informing this yes- are in complete sanitary isolation, stand together as a community and terday, the Ministry of Municipality and Environment and they are receiving necessary work to support Qatar’s public and pri- (MME) said in a statement that the closure orders medical care. The Ministry of Public 2 more arrested for vate sectors during these trying times.” came following inspection campaigns carried out by Health continues to conduct the violating quarantine Volunteers must meet the Doha Municipality’s Health Control Section at 762 food necessary checks for all citizens following criteria: establishments. More than 20 food health inspectors who are returning to Qatar, in The Ministry of Public Health an- zBe a Qatar resident took part in the campaigns over the past two weeks addition to all those involved in nounced that the competent authori- zHave a Qatar ID to ensure that food establishments were complying the aff ected cases. With four more ties arrested two people who violated zAged 20-45 years with health and safety regulations and taking the people cured, the total number of the requirements of home quarantine zBe medically fi t enough to contribute necessary preventive and precautionary measures. people who have been healed has yesterday. The ministry said the zHave no history of chronic illness/ Inspectors have intensified the checking of vehicles gone up to 37 in Qatar. arrests are to prevent the spread of disease. transporting foodstuff to and from the Industrial Area Covid-19 and they have been referred Suitable volunteers will attend a two- through some central checkpoints. Six inspectors Help frontline workers to prosecution. The persons arrested hour induction session plus a two-hour work there from 5am until 10pm throughout the week, by staying at home: PM are: Saeedd Nasser Rabiaa Rashid job-specifi c training session before except on Friday and Saturday, to ensure that the food al-Kuwari and Saad Abdul-Razzaq proceeding with their duties. Volun- transported food is safe and that the vehicles, drivers HE the Prime Minister and Minister Saif Mubarak al-Mannai, both Qatari teers will be needed for at least 14 eight- and porters strictly follow the relevant health stand- of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa citizens. The authorities reminded citi- hour shifts over a 12-week period. ards and conditions. These include wearing protective bin Abdulaziz al-Thani has called zens and residents in home quarantine All volunteers will be provided with face masks and gloves, maintaining personal hygiene, on people in Qatar to help those of the necessity of strict adherence to suitable personal protective equipment. ensuring that the vehicles comply with health and Doha Municipality has issued administrative decisions to involved in the fight against the the conditions set by the ministry for People already working in the safety requirements, and maintaining the necessary close some 20 food establishments across Doha and the novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19) their own safety and others. healthcare sector are welcome to take temperature for freezers, chillers, etc. Page 3 Industrial Area for periods ranging from 5 to 30 days. by staying at home. He made part, the statement adds. the observation through a tweet yesterday. Following is a translation of the Arabic tweet: “Qatar has been facing the new coronavirus US death toll from epidemic strongly and resolutely US states, cities desperate for coronavirus help coronavirus hits 573 while mobilising the eff orts of all to protect our society and country. The death toll from the new Our health system is standing at coronavirus in the United States the frontline of such eff orts and Reuters As health authorities struggled to has hit 573, according to a tally from our medical personnel are doing New York/Washington cope with the rising number of sick Johns Hopkins University, which is their noble duty with courage and people and the US Senate failed to ad- collating data. New York is the hardest achieving success, which will not vance an economic stimulus package, hit state, with about 25% of the total be complete without you.