In a BBC news interview, Qatar Airways GCEO HE Akbar Al Baker mentioned that vaccination certificates could be the new norm for many countries and would be a requirement that every person should be vaccinated before entering their countries. Al Baker stated, “I think that this will be the new norm that everybody will have to produce a vaccination certificate to board an aeroplane - and not only to board an aeroplane, a lot of countries would require that you be vaccinated before you come to the countries. I think it will be a joint ICAO, IATA and WHO project, to introduce a safe pass for people whose vaccination certificates will be recognised internationally.” “Until and unless science proves all these questions that people have about the disease or the effect of the vaccination, I don’t think that travel will come back to 2019 levels for the foreseeable future,” Al Baker added. According to the GCEO, nothing is more costly than to look at the interest of the passengers and crew, to protect them from the pandemic. He added that their airline, Qatar Airways is ready to invest to give passengers the confidence that they can travel safely with their airlines.

The first ever commercial ship-to-ship (STS) transfer of a liquefied natural gas LNG) took place today at Subic Bay, Philippines. The Qatargas Operating Company Limited (Qatargas) announced the historical transfer and completion involving a Q-Flex LNG vessel, says a report. Khalid bin Khalifa Al Thani, Qatargas’ Chief Executive Officer, stated: “We are delighted to announce this shipping breakthrough as it is for the first time that one of the largest LNG vessels, a Q-Flex, is involved in a commercial STS operation. This achievement will enable us to transport considerable volumes as efficiently as possible into key markets. Moreover, this will be an attractive option for our potential customers with limited shipping capacity and for those who are looking for smaller or irregular sized cargo parcels. ” A total of 212,000 cubic metres were transferred through the Q-Flex vessel ‘Mesaimeer’. The shipment was loaded at Ras Laffan Port on December 18, 2020 and was scheduled as two separate deliveries, one in Subic Bay and the other to Jiangsu LNG terminal, in China. Khalid added, “STS transfers such as this one will optimise our shipping capabilities by using our most efficient LNG vessels to shift volumes into key high-value markets. I would like to thank PetroChina, who are one of our long-term partners in the LNG industry, for their support and cooperation.” The LNG vessel, ‘Mesaimeer,’ is on a long-term charter to Qatargas and operated by NSQL – Nakilat Shipping (Qatar) Limited.

Pinag-iingat ng Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) ang publiko at mga residente ng Qatar sa kumakalat na “anonymous scam phone calls” para makakuha ng personal na impormasyon na ginagamit ang "Ehteraz" application. Sa isang public warning notification message na pinadala sa pamamagitan ng Etheraz application ngayong araw, nagbabala ang MoPH na huwag magbibigay ng kahit anong impormasyon dahil hindi naman ito hinihingi ng ahensiya, "no body or entity is authorized to make such calls,” pahayag nila. Nilinaw din ng ministry sa pakikipagtulungan sa mga awtoridad sa Qatar, na ang lahat ng personal na impormasyon at data ng mga residente ay mahigpit na binabantayan at pinangangalagaan at itinuturing na classified at highly confidential. Dahil sa mga pangyayaring ito, binalaan ng MoPH ang lahat na mas maging maingat at mapagmasid sa mga ganitong klase ng scam. "Don't provide any personal information or data to any person or entity which claims to be mandated by MOPH or the health sector," huling pahayag nila.

Walang side effect! Ito ang pahayag ni Dr. Yousef al-Maslamani, Medical Director ng Hamad General Hospital tungkol sa mga taong unang nakatanggap ng COVID-19 vaccine. Maayos at wala raw anumang kumplikasyon ang nasabing bakuna sa mga nakakuha na nito, at sa kasalukuyan ay masasabing matagumpay na ang kanilang kampanya para dito. Simula na raw ito ng malaking pagbabago at sa tuluyang pagkawala ng pandemic sa Qatar. "The turnout among the targeted category of people to take the vaccine has increased considerably over the past few days, especially since senior and well-known individuals have already taken the first dose," ayon kay Dr. Yousef. Nagpapasalamat din si Dr. Yousef sa mga residente ng Qatar sa pagiging pasensyoso ng mga ito sa loob ng siyam na buwan habang nag-aantay ng bakuna at ang kanilang walang sawang pagsunod sa mga precautionary measures at protocols para sa COVID-19. Ngayong may bakuna na, naiintindihan daw niya ang takot at pangamba ng mga tao sa bagong vaccine lalo na sa mga posibleng side effects nito. "It is normal that people may have doubts regarding any new invention or technology but the Ministry of Public Health depends on the approved scientific researches and studies and makes proper assessment of them accordingly. "The ministry never takes its information from what is circulating on the social media. Besides, all the available information about the new vaccine affirm that it is safe and highly effective and there is no reason to have fears or worries about it," dagdag pa ni Dr. Yousef. Bagama’t mayroon ng bakuna na available, pangamba pa rin ng marami ang bagong strain ng coronavirus na mabilis na kumakalat ngayon sa United Kingdom (UK). Ayon pa kay Dr. Yousef, hindi kailangang mangamba rito ang publiko. Normal lang daw ang mutation ng virus, pero hindi naman daw delikado ang bagong strain sa halip ay mabilis lang itong kumakalat kumpara sa naunang virus strain. "According to the company manufacturing the COVID-19 vaccine (given in Qatar), it is effective against the new strain of coronavirus as well," ayon pa sa kanya. Paalala pa rin ng mga awtoridad, pag-iingat pa rin ang pinakamabisang panangga sa COVID-19 kahit nakakuha na ng bakuna. "Another reason is that we need to vaccinate 70-80% of the total population to maintain effective immunity and avoid any potential spread of infection. Abiding by the preventive and precautionary measures is not a personal choice but a public decision issued by the authorities concerned for the good of all," giit pa ni Dr. Yousef. Pakikipagtulungan at koopersayon pa rin ng lahat ng mga residente sa Qatar ang susi para ganap na masugpo ang COVID-19 lalo na ngayon na may malinaw ng bakuna para tulungan tayo na bumalik sa normal ang ating mga buhay. Mainam pa rin ang pag-iingat dahil hindi pa tapos ang laban sa COVID-19, nagsisimula pa lang tayo.

Padating na nga sa bansa ngayong Lunes, December 21, 2020 ang unang batch ng COVID-19 vaccine, ayon sa tweet ni Qatar Prime Minister and Minister of Interior H.E. Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani. Ayon sa kanya, darating na ngayong Lunes ang mga nasabing bakuna at tuluyan na itong maibibigay sa bawat isa ayon sa nakatakdang mga health protocols. Naniniwala ang Prime Minister and Minister of Interior na ito'y isang importanteng hakbang upang tuluyang makontrol ang pandemya sa bansa at magsimulang bumalik sa normal ang buhay. Nagpahayag din ng pasasalamat ang Opisyal sa mga medical teams at lahat na kabahagi nito. Narito ang kanyang tweet sa wikang Arabic: Samantala, matatandaan na sa panayam kay Dr. Abdul-Wahab Al Musleh, Advisor to the Minister of Public Health for Sports and Emergency Affairs, ang prayoridad sa bakuna ay ibibigay sa mga matatanda at mga may malalang sakit, kasama rin ang mga frontliners. Ang bakuna ay unti-unting maibibigay sa lahat ng publiko sa mga susunod na buwan, ayon pa kay Dr. Al Musleh. Para naman sa mga Pilipino expats sa Qatar, ang tumanggap ng libreng bakuna para sa COVID-19 mula sa pamahalaan ng Qatar ay isang napakalaking bagay. Kung kaya't sa ngayon pa lang, lubos na nagpapasalamat na ang mga Filipino expats sa pamahalaan ng Qatar sa pamumuno ni His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani.

Kamakailan lang, inanunsyo ng Qatar na ang lahat ng residente nitong babiyahe pabalik ng bansa ay agarang magkakaroon ng exceptional entry permit. Maaaring i-print ng babiyahe ang permit mula sa website ng Ministry of Interior (MoI) bago sila bumalik imbes na mag-apply pa sa Qatar Portal website. Ito ay ipinatupad noong Nobyembre 29, pero hindi kasali rito ang mga residente na nasa labas na ng Qatar bago pa ito maipatupad. Kailangan pa rin nilang mag-apply nito sa Qatar Portal website. Kung kayo ay lalabas papunta sa ibang bansa, ito ang mga proseso para magkaroon kayo ng automatic exceptional entry permit: Bisitahin ang Ministry of Interior na website (https://portal.moi.gov.qa/wps/portal/MOIInternet/services/inquiries) Pindutin ang "Inquiries", tapos ang "Exit & Entry Permits at sa huli ang "Print Exceptional Return Permit" Sulatan ng buong detalye at i-print ang exceptional entry permit. Ayon sa Government Communications Office, ang quarantine period sa pagbalik sa Qatar ay isang linggo kahit saan pa ito nanggaling. Home quarantine sa mga galing sa bansang nasa Ministry of Public Health’s Green List. Hotel quarantine naman ay mandatory sa mga galing sa bansa na wala sa listahan ng Ministry. Dalawang linggo naman ang itatagal ng quarantine period para sa mga taong nasa shared facilities. Ang desisyong ito ay base sa national at international epidemiology statistics. Dahil sa mga pagbabagong ito, kinakailangan ang Coronavirus (COVID-19) test para sa mga babalik ng bansa paglapag nila sa Qatar kung hindi pa sila nakakapagpa-test sa loob ng 48 oras sa mga accredited COVID-19 Testing Centers. Makalipas ang ang anim na araw, pangalawang test ang isasagawa sa kanila. Ang status sa kanilang Ehteraz ay mananatiling dilaw matapos ang ikapitong araw mula sa kanilang pagdating. Para sa karagdagang detalye at impormasyon bisitahin ang Coronavirus (COVID-19) page ng Ministry of Public Health’s website - https://www.moph.gov.qa/english/Pages/default.aspx

Ang pinakahihintay na bakuna laban sa Covid 19 ay inaasahang darating na sa Qatar ilang linggo na lang mula ngayon. Ang magandang balita ay mula sa pahayag ng isang senior health official. Ayon kay Dr. Soha al-Bayat, Head ng Vaccination Unit, Health Protection and Communicable Disease Control Department ng Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), sa kanyang panayam sa isang local Arabic daily na Arrayah binanggit niya na abot kamay na ang bakuna at isa ang Qatar sa mga unang bansang makakakuha nito. Kampante silang ngayong buwan ng Disyembre ito darating o hindi hihigit sa unang buwan ng 2021. Matatandaang nonng isang buwan, pumirma na ang Qatar sa isang agreement sa  kompanyang Pfizer-BioNTech at Moderna na siyang magdadala ng Covid-19 vaccine sa bansa. Ayon pa kay Dr. al-Bayat, ang makukuhang bakuna ng Qatar ay nagpakita ng positibong resulta na mayroong higit sa 90% efficacy level base sa mga preliminary testing na isinagawa rito.

Ayon sa Assistant Undersecretary for Labour Affairs ng Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs (MADLSA) Mohammed Hassan Al Obaidli, kailangan na ng empleyado ang kopya ng kanyang resignation sa kanyang application sakaling gusto niyang magpalit ng trabaho. Bukod dito kailangan din ng pirma at stamp ng bagong company na kanyang lilipatan kung gusto niya mag-transfer. Sa kanyang interview sa isang programa sa telebisyon, sinabi ni Al Obaidli na ang lahat ng nai-submit na job change application sa Ministry ay maayos na titingnan kung tatanggapin o hindi batay sa regulasyon ng ahensiya. “In case of acceptance, a text message will be sent to the employer informing him about the transfer of his worker and notice period and this will be considered second message from the Ministry to the employer,” dagdag ni Al Obaidli. “First text message issued from the Ministry responding to the application of a worker for job change does not mean final approval rather than to inform the employer that his worker has applied for job transfer and the application is under assessment of the Ministry,” ayon pa kay Al Obaidli. “We in the Ministry redrafted the text message to make it clear for employer and worker. The amended text message contains that a worker submitted a request for changing job from one company to other mentioning the name of new company. The message also includes that the request is under assessment so the worker should remain in the company until the end of the assessment.” Sinabi rin ni Al Obaidli na sa text message nakalagay na ang employer ay entitled na magtanong tungkol sa aplikasyon ng empleyado para makapagsabi ito ng kanilang mga concern sa pamamagitan ng hotline o email na makikita rin sa text message. Kasama rin dito na sinumang empleyado na dalawang taon ng nagtatrabaho sa isang kompanya ay dapat dalawang buwang notice period ang kailangang gawin o isang buwan naman para doon sa mga wala pang dalawang taon sa kanilang kompanya. “The new company (where a worker wants to transfer) should adhere to the wage protection system, labor law, be active, have business and project,” ayon ito kay Al Obidli. May karapatan din ang employer na maninggil ng charges or cost kung sumailalim sa mga training ang mga trabahador na aalis, mga expenses sa driving license at kung anu-ano pa para masigurong nasusunod ang karapatan ng kapwa employer at employee. “It is mandatory for employer and worker as well to comply to the job contract because both parties have rights and liabilities for each other,” diin ni Al Obaidli. “In case of transfer of the workers from these companies they will be compensated with new visas for hiring workers,” dagdag pa nya. Bukod pa rito, binanggit din ni Al Obaidli ang pagpapatupad muli ng pag-isyu ng labor recruitment, “The service was suspended due to COVID-19 which had shut down the airports all over the world. With gradual lifting of coronavirus restrictions on travel, the Ministry decided to resume the service due to need of oversees workers for ongoing projects.”

Simula ngayong araw, Nobyembre 29, lahat ng residente ng Qatar na babiyahe palabas ng bansa ay agaran (automatic) ng makakakuha ng exceptional entry permit. Ito ay ayon sa Government Communications Office (GCO). Maaari ng i-print ang permit mula sa Ministry of Interior (MOI) website anumang oras bago bumalik, dagdag pa ng ahensiya. Inilunasad ang "Exceptional Entry Permit" para matulungang makabalik ng mabilis ang mga residente ng Qatar at ang kanilang mga pamilya na naipit sa ibang bansa dahil sa Covid-19. Sa kasalukuyan, ang request ay maaari lamang gawin matapos makalabas ng bansa sa pamamagitan ng kanilang employer o sponsor. Sa kabilang banda, simula ngayon, hindi na nila kailangang mamroblema dahil automatic ng ibibigay sa kanila ang permit kapag sila ay dumating na sa Qatar. Ito ang full statement na inilabas ng GCO: In continuation of the gradual lifting of restrictions imposed in the State of Qatar as a result of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, based on public health indicators in the State of Qatar and around the world, and on Qatar’s travel policy announced previously, the following has been decided: First: Residents who are currently in the State of Qatar and wish to travel and return will automatically receive an exceptional entry permit upon departure. The resident or their employer will be able to printout the exceptional entry permit from the Ministry of Interior’s website at any point after the resident has departed Qatar. Requests will no longer need to be submitted through the “Qatar Portal” website. The permit will be available automatically upon registration of the resident’s departure from Qatar. The automatic exceptional entry permit service will not be available for residents who are currently outside the State of Qatar. They are still required to obtain the exceptional return permit via the “Qatar Portal” website if they wish to return to the State of Qatar. Second: The quarantine period will be for one week only after arrival in the country, regardless of destination. Home quarantine will be applied to those coming from countries on the Ministry of Public Health’s Green List. Hotel quarantine is mandatory for those coming from countries that are not included in the Green List. The quarantine period for those who use shared quarantine facilities will be two weeks. The decision is based on national and international epidemiology statistics. Based on these new procedures, a Coronavirus (Covid-19) test will be conducted for those returning from travel upon arrival to the country in the event they haven’t had a test within 48 hours before traveling to Doha by one of Ministry of Public Health’s accredited COVID-19 Testing Centers. Then a second test will be conducted on the sixth day from the date of arrival. The status on the Ehteraz application remain yellow until the end of the seventh day from the date of arrival. These decisions will come into effect starting next Sunday 29th of November. For more information, please visit the Coronavirus (Covid-19) page on the Ministry of Public Health’s website.

Isang maganda balita para sa lahat, kung sakaling makuha na ng Pfizer at BioNtech ang lahat ng kinakailangang approval para maisapubliko na ang bakuna, isa ang Qatar sa mga unang makakuha nito sa katapusan ng taon o sa unang buwan ng susunod na taon. Ito ay ayon sa isang senior health official. Sa isang pahayag ni Dr. Abdullatif Al Khal, Chairman ng National Health Strategic Group sa COVID-19 at Head ng Infectious Diseases ng Hamad Medical Corporation, sinabi nitong, “We have been working with Pfizer and BioNTech since the summer and they are confident that if their vaccine gets the necessary regulatory approval Qatar will be able to receive an initial quantity of vaccines by the end of this year or very early in 2021.” Ikinatuwa ng Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) ang pahayag na ito ng Pfizer at BioNtech. Isa raw itong patunay ng maagap at mayos na proseso para tuluyang makahanap ng ligtas at epektibong bakuna laban sa Covid-19. “Pfizer and BioNtech stated that preliminary analysis on their vaccine shows it can prevent more than 90 percent of people from getting COVID-19 which is better than we hoped for or expected. “This news gives us good reason to be optimistic that life can return towards normal sooner rather than later, but it is important to note that these are the initial results of the study and additional results of the ongoing clinical trials is required to confirm the vaccine’s effectiveness,” dagdag pa ng ministry. Inaasahang magbabago ang takbo kung ‘di man magiging normal agad ang buhay, kung sakaling maging epektibo nga ang bakunang inaasahan ng marami. Bagama’t malayo pa sa katotohanan ang agarang pagkawala ng virus, positibo naman ang pananaw ng lahat na malulunasan rin ang problemang ito at muli tayong mamumuhay ng maayos gaya ng dati

Qatar International Boat Show is coming this 2nd week of November despite the COVID-19 pandemic affecting everyone globally. The marine event promises to make changes for a better and safer experience as it pushes through at The Pearl-Qatar. The QAWARIB 2020, under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of State of Qatar is the only boat show this year that will pull into port this Nov.16-Nov.20, with additional entrances, and new all Secure Health & Safety Standards. The said event is produced and owned by Al Mannai Plus Events WLL will feature the largest display of boats, new models and the latest in marine technology and accessories. This was announced in a press conference spearheaded by Khalid Bin Issa Al Mannai the chairman of Al Mannai Plus Events WLL the sole organizer of the show held in The Oyster at The Pearl-Qatar. Mr. Hamad Issa Al Mannai, Chief Executive Officer of Al Mannai Plus Events also added that annual luxury boat show is a yearly event that started way back 2013 in Qatar handled by their prestigious company. In relation to that, the event was supposedly planned to launch last March but due to the uncontrollable circumstances brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, it was cancelled. The exhibition of world-class yachts and marine accessories were all postponed. The Al Mannai added that because of their perseverance and by the grace of Al Mighty God, they were able to sustain in organizing the event with the valuable support of event partners, local exhibitors and the prestigious sponsors of the show. The United Development Company (UDC), a strategic partner as well as The Pearl-Qatar and Ronautica Middle East as official hosts of the show, in addition to the Ministry of Interior and the Coast Guard were all acknowledged on their cooperation and support for the coming event. He added that during the event, extra precautionary measures will be strictly implemented. There will be additional entrances and exits for exhibitors and visitors to make the show safer and secured in accordance to the government’s Covid-19 policy and safety measures. The event provides a single window to the luxury lifestyle enthusiasts of the region, it preserves century's old relationship of the natives with the sea in addition to its role in positioning Qatar as a regional hub for luxury, highly skilled craftsmanship and most modern boats and marine related accessories. He said that the visitors to the exhibition will witness highly skilled and of quality local manufactured boats along with display of other international brands of yachts and boats. Hamad Al Mannai said that this year, 32 exhibitors will be showcasing various marine related products including the highly skilled latest model luxury yachts and boats. He thanked the sponsors of QAWARIB 2020 - Qatar International Boat Show, including UDC, The Pearl-Qatar and Ronautica Middle East, in addition to Qatar Airways; Vodafone; Milaha; Qatar Free Zone Authority; Bentley Qatar and all partners of the show for this exceptional edition. He also extended his gratitude to his team on putting all their efforts to make the event possible in spite of many hurdles due to the pandemic Covid-19 impact on travelling and movements.

Explore made in Turkey festival, organized by SPAR Qatar kicked off on Monday at its flagship Tawar Store in Tawar Mall. The three-day event will provide opportunity for customers to explore Turkish brands & made in Turkey products along with special offers running until Wednesday the 4th of November. The festival was initiated by the attendance of Ambassador of Turkey to Qatar HE Mehmet Mustafa Göksu, Chairman of Qatar Businessmen Association Sh. Faisal Bin Qassem Al Thani, Chairman of Alwataniya International Holding Sh. Faisal Bin Fahed Althani, Mr.Ihsan Walid Alkhiyami, Managing Director of Alwataniya International Holding, several other delegates & guests. Speaking during the opening of the three-day event, Ambassador of Turkey HE Mehmet Mustafa Göksu expressed his pleasure to participate at the event which highlights Turkish products to local consumers and his happiness over the strong trade and economy relations that Qatar & Turkey share while thanking the Qatari government and the people of Qatar. Chairman of Qatar Businessmen Association Sh. Faisal Bin Qassem Al Thani, addressed the event & praised quality of Turkish products and thanked SPAR for organising the festival. He also praised Alwataniya Holding for supporting Qatar during the blockade & difficult times by bringing in supplies via various sources within three days and for being a stable local business since 1960s supporting the economy. He appreciated the efforts, specially that the blockade was never felt & eased by companies like Alwataniya Holding. SPAR now operates more than 13,112 SPAR stores in over 48 countries. Al Watanyia International Holding established SPAR Qatar in 2017 and has focused on offering premium service at affordable prices. SPAR Qatar now has three stores in Tawar Mall, Zero 3 Mall & in B-Square Mall as well as online via www.sparqatar.shop. Speaking to the media the General Manager of SPAR Qatar Mr. Mohamed Mansour expressed his happiness in highlighting Turkish products & their quality. He was also happy in revealing that SPAR will further strengthen its presence in the market by adding three more stores to its portfolio in prominent locations across Qatar very soon. He also stressed that SPAR Qatar will offer convenient shopping experiences with best value, unsurpassable quality products, imports from around the world and exciting offers year-round catering for variety of customers across all communities in Qatar.