Fifa World Cup fans going to Qatar do not require a coronavirus vaccine

Coronavirus vaccines will not be required for the millions of fans expected to attend the World Cup in Qatar this year, the Gulf state announced on Thursday.

However, if Covid-19 instances resurface, players and match officials may be confined inside a protective “bio-bubble,” with the danger of ejection from the event for anyone who break the safe environment, according to the health ministry.

The 29-day tournament will be the first major worldwide athletic event with supporters since the Covid epidemic erupted in December 2019, killing over six million people.

Qatari organizers, who expect more than a million people to attend the matches, and FIFA, the world’s governing body, have stated they want the tournament to be a statement that the globe is recovering from the catastrophic pandemic.

Fans aged six and above must submit a negative PCR test result from 48 hours prior to arrival, or an official quick test result within 24 hours.

On Thursday, World Cup organizers revealed that all guests aged 18 and older will be obliged to download the government-controlled Ehteraz phone app, which records people’s travels and health status. “A green Ehteraz (demonstrating that the user does not have a verified case of COVID-19) is necessary to access any public closed indoor places,” they said on Thursday.

Anyone who tests positive for Covid-19 in Qatar will be required to isolate for five days, according to the rules. Organisers and Fifa are especially concerned about the first two weeks of the tournament, when four matches are scheduled each day and the largest number of fans from the 32 participating nations would throng stadiums, fan zones, and tourist attractions.

According to officials, Doha airport and city roadways would be under extreme strain that weekend.

Because of the scarcity of available accommodations, only ticket holders will be permitted to enter Qatar from November 1, albeit each ticket holder is permitted to invite three visitors. Each visitor must download a special fan pass, a Hayya card, and Qatar’s anti-Covid health program Ehteraz before entering the nation.

“If metro stations and malls want to test the app, consumers should be prepared for some lines,” said one tourism expert who advises a big hotel chain in Qatar.

In cafés and restaurants, the ministry recommends a 1m gap between diners.

Officials have admitted that almost every team in the World Cup will feature players who have refused vaccinations.

The Premier League in England said last year that 15% of its players have declined immunizations.

If coronavirus instances increased, Qatar’s health ministry stated it would compel players, referees, and officials to remain in a secure “bio-bubble” to enable for the safe operation and continuation of the tournament. Hotel rooms, training facilities, and stadium transportation would all be closed off.

“Breaking the bubble arrangement may result in the violation being immediately dismissed from the event and being removed from the event hotel and lodgings,” the ministry stated.

According to FIFA, players and personnel from the 32 World Cup countries, as well as referees and match officials, will be subjected to quick antigen testing every two days in Qatar.

FIFA and the Qatari authorities “highly encourage all competitors to be completely vaccinated against Covid-19,” FIFA stated on Thursday.