Qatar World Cup: all Covid-19 precautions taken, say authorities

Health professionals given special training to prepare for influx of 1.5 million football fans

Qatar, Al Aziziyah Boutique Hotel. Photo: The Torch Hospitality

Argentina, Qatar University Hostel 1 (Qatar University pictured). Photo: Qatar University

Poland, Ezdan Palace Hotel. Photo: Ezdan Palace Hotel

Spain, Qatar University Hostel 2 (Qatar University pictured). Photo: Qatar University

Wales, Delta Hotels City Centre Doha. Render: Marriott

South Korea, Le Meridien City Center Doha. Render: MZ & Partners

Australia, New Aspire Academy Athlete Accommodation (Aspire Academy pictured). Photo: Aspire

Mexico, Simaisma, A Murwab Resort. Photo: Murwab

Ecuador, Hyatt Regency Oryx Doha. Photo: Hyatt

Croatia, Hilton Doha. Photo: Hilton

England, Souq Al Wakra Hotel Qatar by Tivoli. Photo: Tivoli

Cameroon, Banyan Tree Doha At La Cigale Mushaireb. Photo: Banyan Tree

Iran, AlRayyan Hotel Doha, Curio Collection by Hilton. Photo: Chapman Taylor

Senegal, Duhail Handball Sports Hall. Photo: Qatar Handball Association

Belgium, Hilton Salwa Beach Resort and Villas. Photo: Hilton

France, Al Messila A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Doha. Photo: Marriott

Uruguay, Pullman Doha West Bay. Photo: Accor

Denmark, Retaj Salwa Resort & SPA. Photo: Retaj Salwa Resort & SPA

USA, Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Pearl - Doha. Photo: Kempinski Hotels

Tunisia, Wyndham Grand Doha West Bay Beach. Photo: Wyndham Hotels & Resorts

Japan, Radisson Blu Hotel Doha. Photo: Radisson Hotels

Canada, Century Marina Hotel Lusail. Photo: Century Marina Hotel Lusail

Morocco, Wyndham Doha West Bay. Photo: Wyndham Doha West Bay

Costa Rica, dusitD2 Salwa Doha. Photo: Dusit

Saudi Arabia, Sealine Beach, a Murwab Resort. Photo: Murwab

Portugal, Al Samriya Autograph Collection Hotel. Photo: Al Rayyan Tourism Investment Co

Brazil, The Westin Doha Hotel and Spa. Photo: Marriott

Serbia, Rixos Gulf Hotel Doha. Photo: Accor

Germany, Zulal Wellness Resort. Photo: Chiva-Som

Swtizerland, Le Royal Meridien, Doha. Photo: Marriott

Ghana, DoubleTree by Hilton Doha Al Sadd. Photo: Hilton

Netherlands, St Regis Doha. Photo: Marriott

Health authorities in Qatar say they are fully prepared ahead of the World Cup that kicks off in November – the biggest global event since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Currently, there are 102 people in hospital with Covid-19 in Qatar – four in intensive care – and there have been 682 deaths in the country since the outbreak began, according to Qatar's ministry of health.

In less than two months, Doha will be flooded with more than 1.5 million supporters from all over the world. But after three years of planning, health authorities insist they are ready for any eventuality.

“Mega sports events like the World Cup are attended by significant numbers of people which has the potential to strain public health and response resources of the host nation or community,” said Dr Hamad Al Romaihi, director of the Health Protection and Communicable Disease Control Department in Doha.

“Preparation is critical to any effective health security plan and Qatar’s healthcare sector has undergone remarkable transformation in recent years.

“We have placed great importance on building a strong, highly skilled team of health-care professionals across the system to lead the delivery of high-quality care to Qatar’s population.

“All football fans visiting Qatar for the FIFA World Cup can be reassured that, if needed, they will receive healthcare services from Hamid Medical Centre teams on par with the very highest international standards.”

All World Cup visitors, workers, players and technical staff must be fully vaccinated in order to attend the tournament.

International travellers are advised to check the latest FIFA advice and follow Qatar's Ministry of Public Health guidelines, prior to departure.

Qatar’s healthcare sector has significantly grown in the past decade.

In the public sector, ten hospitals and 16 primary health centres have opened since 2010.

The national ambulance service has also expanded, and the region’s largest trauma and emergency centre opened in 2019.

This year, health authorities in Qatar collaborated with the World Health Organisation to run a series of workshops and simulated exercises ahead of the World Cup to prepare health workers for the influx of fans.

“Lessons learned during last year’s Arab Cup have shown us that mass gatherings can be successfully delivered if properly managed, but they can never be zero risk,” said Dr Rayana Ahmad Bou Haka, the WHO’s representative to Qatar.

“Still, associated risk can be decreased by applying tailored, event-specific precautionary measures to the venues, the participants, and the context in which the event takes place, within a general reinforcement of surveillance and public health measures implemented in the host country,” she said.