Planning to hold a wedding party in Qatar soon? Before you organize a wedding event, there are guidelines and precautionary measures to be strictly followed in the country due to the recent coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

According to Dr. Yousuf al-Maslamani, medical director of Hamad General Hospital at Hamad Medical Corporation as he mentioned in local Arabic daily 'Arrayah, here are the important points on social gatherings like wedding events in Qatar, in line with the fourth phase of lifting Covid-19 restrictions:

• It is important to closely regulate the entry and exit of the invited persons by ensuring all have the green Ehteraz status and body temperature lower than 38C.
• The employees should wear facemasks and gloves at all times during their work. 
• The maximum number of attendees in the wedding celebration hall or tent should not exceed 40, calculating the capacity of the place on the basis of 9sqm per person.
• It is necessary to abide by the recommended maximum of 30% of the total capacity of the place.
• All attendees should wear facemasks all the time except when seated at the tables for having food and drinks. 
• The invitees should avoid kissing, hugging, and shaking hands.
• It is not allowed to have a musical band inside the same hall.
• All the employees and workers at the wedding halls must undergo Covid-19 tests before resuming operations.
• The location should be properly sanitised, especially all surfaces and the areas that are often touched more frequently by the people.
• The open buffet system is not allowed. 
• Food should be only served on dishes at the tables, keeping a distance of at least 2m between tables. 
• The maximum number of persons allowed at a single table is five.
• There must be an adequate ventilation that ensures the flow of fresh air as much as possible. 
• Hand sanitisers should be kept at the entry points, tables, and all other relevant places, and encourage the invitees to use them. 
• Toilets should be sanitised before, during, and after the event.

Dr. Yousuf al-Maslamani added that the Ministry of Public Health will appoint security personnel to monitor the implementation of the guidelines, such as maintaining adequate social distancing among the attendees and ensuring all hygiene norms.