Qatar: Covid vaccination not required for World Cup fans
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The 29-day tournament will be the first major global sporting event with fans since the Covid pandemic erupted in December 2019, killing over six million people.
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Education City Stadium general views, Al Rayyan, Qatar (Archive)
Coronavirus vaccinations will not be required for the millions of fans attending the World Cup in Qatar this year, the Gulf state announced Thursday.
However, if Covid-19 cases resurface, players and match officials may be forced into a secure "bio-bubble," with the threat of expulsion from the tournament for those who breach the secure environment, according to the health ministry.
The 29-day tournament will be the first major global sporting event with fans since the Covid pandemic erupted in December 2019, killing over six million people.
Qatari organizers, who expect more than a million people to attend the matches, and FIFA, the world's governing body, have claimed they want the event to be a sign that the world is recovering from the devastating pandemic.
However, in its World Cup guidelines, Qatar's health ministry warned that special measures would be ordered "in the event of a worsening pandemic situation in the country," such as the emergence of a dangerous new variant.
Because Covid-19 is currently under control, "there will be no vaccination requirement for participants and visiting spectators," as per the ministry.
Things to know before you travel
All visitors over the age of six will have to produce negative Covid-19 tests before flying to Qatar for the tournament.
Fans will be required to wear masks in public transportation, however, officials only recommend wearing masks at the eight stadiums in the Doha region where matches will be played.
Anyone who tests positive for Covid-19 in Qatar will be required to isolate for five days, according to the guidelines.
Organizers and FIFA are most concerned about the first two weeks of the tournament when four matches are scheduled per day and the largest number of fans from the 32 competing nations will pack stadiums, fan zones, and tourist attractions.
According to some estimates, up to 350,000, visiting fans could be in Doha at the same time on November 26-27.
Doha airport and city roads will be under extreme pressure that weekend, as per officials.
Because of the scarcity of available accommodations, only ticket holders will be permitted to enter Qatar beginning November 1, though each ticket holder is permitted to invite three guests.
Each visitor must download a special fan pass, a Hayya card, and Qatar's anti-Covid health application, Ehteraz, before entering the country.
The app must be displayed at metro stations and most shopping malls.
"If metro stations and malls want to check the app, then people need to be ready for some queues," said one tourism consultant.
Other measures, experts say, may be difficult to implement due to sheer numbers.
In cafes and restaurants, the ministry recommends a one-meter (three-foot) space between diners.
Officials have admitted that almost every team in the World Cup will have players who have refused vaccinations.
This year, 15% of players in England's Premier League refused vaccines.
If coronavirus cases increase, Qatar's health ministry said it would force players, referees, and officials to remain in a secure "bio-bubble" "to allow for the safe operation and continuation of the event."
Hotel rooms, training facilities, and stadium transportation would all be closed down.
"Breaking the bubble arrangement may result in the violator being immediately dismissed from the event and being removed from the event hotel and accommodation," the ministry stated.
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