Qatar Announced New Travel Policy; India And 8 Other Countries In Exceptional Red List

Qatar on Sunday announced an updated COVID-19 ‘Travel and Return Policy’ that includes restrictions on visitors from India and 8 other countries. The updated travel and return policy will come into effect from 06th October 2021.

The latest update issued by Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health has denied entry to non-vaccinated visitors.

Qatar has classified countries into two lists – Green and Red, in addition to a secondary list of Exceptional Red Countries based on international and local health risk indicators and the epidemiology of Covid-19 in the different countries.

Exceptional Red List Countries

India
Philippines
Nepal
Bangladesh
Sri Lanka
Pakistan
Indonesia
Kenya
Sudan

Policies Citizens, GCC citizens and residents of Qatar

Fully Vaccinated Travelers

Travelers who are fully vaccinated by a vaccine approved by the Ministry of Public Health: The following categories will be subject to hotel quarantine for two days:

Travelers aged 12 years and above.
Children aged 11 years and accompanied by one or both of their parents/family members who are fully vaccinated.

Test policy

Before arrival: Undergo a PCR test with a negative result 72 hours before arrival in Qatar.

After arrival: Conduct a PCR test within 36 hours of arriving in Qatar as follows:

Have a PCR test at the quarantine hotel.
Serology Antibody test at the quarantine hotel for vaccinated persons outside Qatar with one of the vaccines approved by the Ministry of Public Health.

Not Fully Vaccinated Travelers

Passengers who are not vaccinated or who have not completed the necessary vaccination doses: This category will be subject to hotel quarantine for 7 days.

Before arrival:

Undergo a PCR test with a negative result 72 hours before arrival in Qatar

After arrival:

A PCR test is required on the sixth day of quarantine and the individual will be released on the seventh day if the result of the COVID-19 test is negative.

Visitors to Qatar

Quarantine Policy: Fully vaccinated travelers: The following categories will be subject to hotel quarantine for two days:

People aged 12 years and above who are fully vaccinated.
Children aged 11 years and below (non-vaccinated) accompanied by one or both of their parents/family members who are fully vaccinated.

Test Policy

Before Arrival

Undergo a PCR test with a negative result 72 hours before arrival in Qatar

After Arrival

Have a PCR test at the quarantine hotel.
Serology Antibody test at the quarantine hotel for vaccinated persons outside Qatar with one of the vaccines approved by the Ministry of Public Health.

Important: Unvaccinated travelers – entry is not allowed

List of Vaccines Approved In Qatar

Approved Vaccines	Conditionally Approved vaccines*
Pfizer / BioNTech (Comirnaty) – Two Doses	Sinopharm vaccine – Two Doses
Moderna (SpikeVax) – Two Doses	Sinovac – Two Doses
AstraZeneca (Covishield / Oxford / Vaxzevria) – Two Doses	Sputnik V – Two Doses
Jansen / Johnson & Johnson (only one dose)