Covid: Qatar revives mask mandate in closed public spaces

Qatar reintroduced mandatory mask-wearing in closed public spaces starting on Thursday, less than two months after the policy was abandoned following a decline in Covid-19 infections there.

The decision by the Gulf state's cabinet on Wednesday comes after ministers reviewed the public health ministry's report on the latest coronavirus-related developments.

Qatar has recorded an increase in Covid infections in the past two weeks, with the number of new confirmed cases at 698 on Tuesday and 641 on Wednesday, according to ministry statistics.

It comes as nearby Iran registered more than 1,000 new daily Covid cases on Monday – a level of infections not seen there since April.

Qatar in May announced an end to a number of Covid restrictions, including mandatory mask-wearing in most closed public spaces, with the exception of health facilities and public transport.

Qatar has recorded 679 Covid deaths since the pandemic began in 2020, according to the public health ministry, the lowest number in the Gulf region.

The country has seen 387,208 infections during the pandemic, with over 7,260,000 vaccination doses administered.

There are 86 people currently under acute hospital care in Qatar, although there is no one in intensive care.