The NHRC visited the Industrial Area, workers quarantine spots, and hotels in continuation of its field visits to monitor the implementation of the precautionary measures taken to prevent and contain the Coronavirus

Doha, April 25, 2020

The field visits and monitoring team of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) has visited workers in some quarantine designated places in the Industrial Area, Umm Salal and Mesaieed, and some designated quarantine hotels, to monitor the implementation of the precautionary measures and the quality of health services provided to contain the Coronavirus (Covid-19).

Regarding the objectives of the field visits to some parts of the Industrial Area, Vice-Chairman of NHRC and chairman of the field visits and monitoring subcommittee, Dr. Mohamed Saif Al-Kuwari said that based on NHRC’s concern for the health and safety of workers and of everyone living in Qatar, various places of major gatherings were visited to inspect the precautionary measures followed, as per the mandate of the Committee, and in implementation of the regulations and laws that regulate its work.

Dr. Al-Kuwari explained that the NHRC has obtained extensive information about the number of workers in some quarantine designated places in the Industrial Area, the area of accommodation, housing conditions, shelter services, and the quality of healthy food and nutritional supplements provided to workers in quarantine in the region, especially to those with chronic diseases, and the elderly. “During the visit to the Industrial Area, the NHRC team inspected the distribution points of the food baskets for workers, the mechanism of work, and distributed some necessary health supplies, including free sanitizers and masks for workers to prevent the spread of the epidemic.”

Dr. Al-Kuwari pointed out that the monitoring committee team was briefed during its meetings with the officials on the implementation of the precautionary measures approved in some parts of the Industrial Area, especially sanitizing and cleaning operations that the zone has been subjected to since the start of the application of the quarantine, and health services provided to residents and workers.

Dr. Al-Kuwari added that the team was also briefed on the procedures used to treat people infected with the virus, preventive medical equipment provided for workers to protect them from the risk of virus transmission, including the procedures used to isolate the infected cases and those who have contact with them, and the plans taken to ensure that the epidemic does not transmit within the Industrial Area.

With regard to the quality of healthcare provided to infected workers in some parts of the Industrial Area, Dr. Mohamed Saif Al-Kuwari said that the field visits and monitoring team reviewed the work of the mobile inspection units designated for examining those living there, and the mechanisms used to conduct examinations, as well as reviewing the process of distributing masks and sanitizers, in addition to visiting several shopping malls, food stores, pharmacies, and exchange offices in the Industrial Area. “Officials at the Industrial Area informed the team that the medical centres distribute the medicine free of charge to those in need, and the visit was an opportunity to be informed about the preparation of a new emergency field clinic that will open soon.”

Meanwhile, the field visits and monitoring team also visited the quarantine centres for workers infected with coronavirus in Umm Salal and Mesaieed. Dr al-Kuwari said that the team spoke to officials and patients in the centres and listened to extensive explanations about a number of patients and the general situation inside quarantine areas and the needs of the isolated persons. The team noted great care in terms of attention, accommodation, hygiene, as well as registering the other additional services of workers such as the internet and cafeteria. Dr. Al-Kuwari said we spoke with workers and officials and we were reassured that there is great care in the services offered. In another visit, NHRC team visited several hotels designated for those infected with the coronavirus (Covid-19), or for those who are spending their quarantine period after returning from their travels outside the country.