Qatar has scrapped its negative test entry requirement for visitors ahead of next month’s FIFA World Cup.
The nation’s health ministry said that tourists will no longer have to present a negative COVID-19 test before heading over for the football tournament.
Prior to the announcement Qatar had said that fans attending the World Cup had to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test regardless of their vaccination status. This had to be shown before boarding a flight or prior to crossing the border if travelling from a neighbouring country.
Qatari residents will also no longer have to take a COVID-19 test within 24 hours of returning from another country.
The health ministry has also removed the requirement for adults to show their COVID-19 status on a Government-run contact tracing app, before entering stadiums and retail spaces. However, residents and visitors must continue to show the Ehteraz app before entering a healthcare facility.
The updates will come into effect from November 1, less than three weeks before 1.2 million visitors are expected to descend on Qatar for the World Cup.
World Cup ticket sales have reached almost three million and organisers have said that 30,000 more rooms were made available for visitors.
The FIFA World Cup kicks off on November 20 and will run until December 18.