BUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 1 Qatar registers property Al Markhiya reach deals worth QR400mn semis with shock from March 1 to 5: Ezdan win over Al Rayyan published in QATAR since 1978 FRIDAY Vol. XXXXI No. 11486 March 13, 2020 Rajab 18, 1441 AH GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals In brief Amir condoles death of First batch of Iran returnees Sheikh Isa al-Khalifah His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani sent yesterday condolences to the family of Sheikh Isa bin Rashid bin Abdullah al- Khalifah, praying to the Almighty discharged from quarantine Allah to have mercy on his soul and to rest it in paradise, and to grant patience and solace to his family and O No Metro, public bus this weekend; play areas in parks closed; QM, QF shut many the family of al-Khalifah. facilities; Ashghal, Kahramaa urge customers to use e-services Sheikh Isa al-Khalifah passes away he fi rst batch of people repatri- ated from Iran following the out- Cinemas, gyms Tbreak of coronavirus two weeks ago and put under quarantine in Qatar and wedding has been discharged, the Ministry of Public Health announced yesterday. The group consists of 121 individuals halls to be shut suspected to have been infected with the virus in Iran. from today Qatar News Agency quoted head of Public Health at the Ministry of Public atar yesterday announced new Health, Sheikh Dr Mohamed bin Hamad precautionary measures to al-Thani, as saying at a press conference Qprevent and contain the spread that the individuals, who received care of coronavirus. throughout the quarantine period, were These include closure of cine- released after three consecutive tests mas, theatres, children’s play areas, Renowned sports and literary figure showed they were free of Covid-19. gyms and wedding venues, includ- Sheikh Isa bin Rashid bin Abdullah However, nine other returnees from ing those in hotels and are effective al-Khalifah has passed away at the Iran who tested positive for the virus today. age of 82. Shaikh Isa was most known are currently receiving suitable care The Ministry of Public Health has for his role as the president of the and are in stable health and they are ex- urged people to avoid crowded places Bahrain Football Association, a role pected to be discharged soon, the Min- and postpone holding social gath- which he held from 1974 to 1988 istry said in a statement. erings for the time-being, for their which is the longest anyone has held Meanwhile, as part of measures to A photo released by the Ministry of Public Health after the first batch of Iran returnees was discharged from a quarantine own well-being and that of the com- the position and was later named an combat the virus outbreak, various facility yesterday. munity. honorary president. organisations and institutions in the The Ministry has also advised eld- country have announced changes to QC to distribute erly people, and people with chronic QATAR | Offi cial their operations. Ministry issues advisory for mosques health conditions, to avoid going out Amir holds phone talks These include restrictions for the masks, sanitisers unless absolutely necessary, as they public, postponements, temporary clo- The Ministry of Endowments and decrease the waiting time between the are more susceptible to infections. It with Kyrgyz president sures and suspensions as well as con- Islamic Aff airs yesterday announced call to prayer and actual prayer to five The Qatar Charity (QC), in said it continues to take all necessary His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim ducting work remotely and online. several precautionary and preventive minutes for all prayer times, in addition collaboration with the Ministry of measures to limit the spread of the bin Hamad al-Thani held a telephone Following are some of the key an- measures to be adopted in mosques to closing the mosques after each Administrative Development, Labour virus and called upon all members of conversation with President of nouncements: as part of eff orts to combat the prayer within 15 minutes and to open and Social Aff airs and the Ministry society to take care and apply simple, the Kyrgyz Republic Sooronbay O No Metro, public bus this coronavirus. In a statement, the with each prayer’s call. The statement of Public Health, will distribute preventive measures to protect against Jeenbekov. During the call, they weekend ministry said extra measures have urged worshippers who show preventative safety guidelines, face infection. discussed relations and ways of Doha Metro, public buses and the been taken to improve hygiene inside symptoms of cold or flu not to go to masks and sanitisers among workers This includes washing hands of- supporting and developing them. Metrolink feeder bus service have been mosques that include removing mosques during their illness period. to prevent the spread of the novel ten or using hand sanitisers and They agreed to enhance joint action suspended for the weekend, according all that could be contributing in The ministry advised worshippers to coronavirus. The initiative also aims keeping a distance of at least 1m between the two countries in all fields, to an offi cial notifi cation. transmitting the infection, such as ensure they do their Wudu at home to raise awareness of the need to (3ft) from people who have symp- as well as at the international level. The Ministry of Transport and Com- cups in refrigerators, soap bars and and not indulge in talks after the take precautionary measures with toms of illness. People should also The Kyrgyz president congratulated munications (MoTC) yesterday said in waste baskets. The statement said prayer in the mosque. The ministry regard to reducing gatherings, QC use their sleeve to cover nose and the Amir on the success of Qatar’s a statement that in view of the precau- that mosques will be ventilated daily also advised all citizens and residents tweeted yesterday. mouth when coughing and sneezing eff orts that culminated in the signing tionary measures taken in the country by opening windows before and after to comply with the health guidance or use tissue paper and dispose of it of a peace agreement between the to prevent the spread of Covid-19, the each prayer. The ministry said as part issued by the competent authorities O Play areas in parks closed appropriately. United States and the Afghan Taliban “Doha Metro preview service, public of the measures it has been decided to and co-operate with them. The Ministry of Municipality and En- The coronavirus (Covid-19) con- in Doha on February 29. transit bus service and Metrolink serv- vironment yesterday tweeted that it has tact centre at the Ministry of Public ice” have been temporarily suspended. Sunday, March 15. Lusail Tram page specifi ed that relat- decided to close play areas in all parks Health is accessible around the clock QATAR | Aid The suspension came into eff ect at Qatar Rail, too, reported the suspen- ed services such as the Metrolink and around the country “as a precautionary for any reports or inquiries regard- 10pm yesterday. sion of Metro services during the same Metroexpress feeder buses would also measure to ensure the health of our kids.” ing the virus at the toll-free phone Gaza fi re victims start The services will resume at 6am on period. A tweet on the Doha Metro & remain suspended during this period. To Page 3 number 16000. getting Amir’s grant The first tranche of the grant of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani was distributed yesterday to assist those aff ected by a fire that broke out in Nusseirat camp market in central Gaza Strip last EU and US clash over week. The Qatar Committee for the Reconstruction of Gaza has started the process of distributing the grant to its beneficiaries through post ‘unilateral’ travel ban off ices in Gaza under the supervision of the committee’s staff , and will Agencies countries, but anyone who has been physi- continue until all those aff ected Brussels/Washington cally present in them. receive the grant. Beneficiaries European Commission President Ursula includes 161 relatives of those who von der Leyen and European Council Presi- died, the wounded, the aff ected shops he European Union yesterday sharply dent Charles Michel said they disapproved of and vehicles owners. criticised the US decision to restrict the US decision, which they said was “taken Ttravel from most European countries to unilaterally and without consultation.” QATAR | Sport contain the coronavirus pandemic, and said In a joint statement, they insisted Brussels the crisis required global co-operation not was taking “strong” measures to limit the Al Arabi, Al Shamal in unilateral action. spread of the virus, despite Trump’s claims Arab handball fi nal The ban applies to any foreign passport in announcing a 30-day restriction on travel Qatar’s Al Shamal beat Saudi Arabia’s holder who has been in the 26 country Schen- from Europe, except Britain and a few other Al Khaleej 32-28 to qualify for the final gen open border area within 14 days of their countries. of Arab Handball Championship for seeking admission into the United States. US President Donald Trump, a frequent the Club Winners’ Cup yesterday. The “The free fl ow of people between the critic of the EU, defended his decision to im- event is being held in Tunisian city of Schengen Area countries makes the task of pose the travel restrictions without consult- Beni Khiar with the participation of managing the spread of the virus diffi cult,” ing Brussels. six clubs, including three from Qatar the White House proclamation said.