Amid all good news appearing with the advent of New Year (2021), vehicles from Qatar crossed the Saudi Arabia land border yesterday, and similarly vehicles from Saudi Arabia crossed the Abu Samra border crossing point to enter Qatar for the first time since June 5, 2017.
National carrier, Qatar Airways, also started on Thursday to fly through Saudi airspace while the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced reopening of its land border, air and sea routes from and to the State of Qatar.
The developments came after the healing of Gulf rift as GCC leaders signed an agreement at 41st Summit at Al-Ula Governorate in Saudi Arabia on January 5 to end the diplomatic row with Qatar, restoring full relations and moving towards solidarity and regional stability.
Opening of the border crossing point with Saudi Arabia means that all customs services have resumed operations and the General Authority of Customs (GAC) has started its work according to the procedures.
No doubt, this is a great opportunity for many, in particular, for mixed families separated because of the measures taken during the blockade years, as well as for people whose businesses were disrupted during this phase. At the same time, it is unfortunate that public health precautions or restrictions meant to address the challenge of COVID-19 pandemic have dampened the joy of reunion to some extent.
Owing to wise decisions and tireless efforts of State’s leadership and institutions, COVID-19 spread in Qatar has been under control and many health restrictions have been lifted gradually at the time when many countries, especially in Europe, are facing a spike in infection cases.
In a bid to continue ensuring public health safety by containing spread of coronavirus, the Government Communication Office (GCO) yesterday made it clear that “COVID-19 travel and return policies and a number of precautionary measures will be implemented on all arrivals from the Abu Samra border crossing as of Saturday.”
Accordingly, all arrivals to the State of Qatar through “Abu Samra border crossing are required to undergo a COVID-19 test and obtain a virus-free certificate no more than 72 hours before travel. All arrivals will be subject to hotel quarantine for one week”.
The arrivals are also required to “sign a formal pledge to adhere to hotel quarantine and follow the policies and conditions of the quarantine, in addition to downloading the Ehteraz application, which traces COVID-19 infections”. The GCO further pointed out that these measures are subject to change based on COVID-19 public health indicators in the State of Qatar and around the world.
