Sent: 06 April 2021 15:28

To: Isobel Archer <archer@business-humanrights.org>

Subject: Response to Business and Human Rights Resource Centre

Dear Isobel

I wanted to follow up to your earlier email and thank you first for bringing this matter to the attention of Discover Qatar and providing us with the opportunity to comment.

As stated in your article Discover Qatar facilitate the booking of various quarantine packages for those travelling into Qatar. The Government of Qatar set the quarantine requirements and the relevant permit processes to be followed, and these will in part vary depending on the relevant individual’s residence and permit status. There are various accommodation options that can be chosen through Discover Qatar’s website for those entering Qatar in order to meet those quarantine requirements. Discover Qatar does not own, operate or manage these various properties.

However, where a complaint is raised regarding any of the properties booked through Discover Qatar we will raise these concerns with the property in question, if anybody has any complaints, they can raise them directly with the Discover Qatar call centre, and if there are any wider issues for example as in this instance regarding health and safety matters arising out of the quarantine measures in place we will also raise that with the relevant authorities. In this case we have raised this matter with the Government and the Qatar’s Government Communications Office has provided the following statement:

The government has put in place a comprehensive system to monitor the health and safety standards at all government-run quarantine facilities.

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, accommodation standards were introduced to ensure that all quarantine facilities provide a comfortable experience for guests while containing the spread of the virus.

The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) has set clear health and safety standards for all quarantine facilities such as that all rooms include air-conditioning, free personal hygiene products, a mobile phone with SIM card, and Wi-Fi connection. Meals are provided in accordance with the guests’ dietary and religious requirements.

The MOPH has recently received complaints and found that the Mekaines quarantine facility, operated by Waseef, has not been following these health and safety regulations. The MOPH is closely investigating the complaints and has increased regulation, in coordination with the Qatar Red Cresent, of the facility. It has been temporarily placed under its full supervision while a full review is carried out to ensure the rigorous health standards are being met.

The State of Qatar will continue to take all necessary measures to support the health and wellbeing of its citizens and residents during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kind regards

Ian

Qatar Airways - Going Places Together