Qatar stops incoming flights.

[krismiler]

Covid-19: Qatar stops all incoming flights, shuts all public transport services (http://www.qatar-tribune.com/Latest-News/ArtMID/423/ArticleID/28781/Covid-19-Qatar-stops-all-incoming-flights-shuts-all-public-transport-services)

[RoyHudd]

"Any incoming flight carrying Qatari citizens from any destination in the world will be allowed." So the above contribution from krismiler is fake news. Read the link. Fed up with panic-mongering by idiots like her/him.

[marchino61]

"Any incoming flight carrying Qatari citizens from any destination in the world will be allowed." So the above contribution from krismiler is fake news. Read the link. Fed up with panic-mongering by idiots like her/him.

Be fair - that is the exact headline of the article.

[krismiler]

Fed up with panic-mongering by idiots like her/him.

The source of the link is the "Qatar Tribune", a newspaper published in Qatar dating back to 2006

This is the story they are running and their front page headline you t***er. Covid-19: Qatar stops all incoming flights, shuts all public transport servicesTribune News Network
Doha
From stopping all incoming flights to shutting all public transport services, Qatar announced a series of major announcements on Sunday aimed at curbing the spread of coronavirus in the country.
The announcements came after the Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani chaired a meeting of the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management. All the decisions were taken based on the Amir’s directive.
The measures were announced at a press conference attended by MoFA spokesperson Lolwah al Khater and other officials.
Khater said no incoming flights to Doha will be allowed to touch down in Doha for a period of 14 days from Wednesday evening. The embargo will be reviewed after the two-week period. However, air cargo and transit flights, in addition to any flight with Qatari citizens coming from any destination in the world, will be allowed.
Those coming on such flights will be in quarantine for two weeks.
“With regard to Qatari students located outside the country, we advise them to adhere to the policies in place in the study country with the readiness of the country's embassies to provide any of the necessary services, including facilitating the procedures for return to the State of Qatar if the need arises, and we also call upon citizens and residents in the State of Qatar to avoid travel during the coming period.”
Lolwah al Khater said, the public transportation, including Doha Metro and Karwa buses, will cease to operate from tonight at 10 pm.
Employees over the age of 55, pregnant women and people suffering from chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart and kidney disease and stress, will be directed to work from home, she said.
All students in public schools will begin distance learning from Sunday (March 22) and students from grades one to eleven will be subject to continuous evaluation system.
“As for the twelfth grade students, they will undergo high school exams on time and at the exams headquarters, which will be announced later. As for students in private schools and universities, they start studying remotely according to the academic calendar and the evaluation systems approved for them.”
A package of decisions related to the economic and financial sector was also announced on Sunday.
According to Khater, the Amir has directed the state machinery to provide financial and economic incentives amounting to QR75 billion to the private sector.
The Qatar Central Bank has also been asked to put in place an appropriate mechanism to encourage banks to postpone loan installments and obligations of the private sector with a grace period of six months.
Khater said the Qatar Development Bank would postpone the installments of all borrowers for a period of six months.
Government funds will increase their investments in the stock exchange by QR10 billion, she said, adding that the Central Bank will provide additional liquidity to banks operating in the country.
Food and medical goods will be exempted from customs duties for a period of six months, provided that this is reflected in the selling price to the consumer, she said.
Water and electricity fees will be waived off for firms in hospitality, tourism and retail sectors, small and medium industries and commercial complexes for a period of six months, provided the services and exemptions trickle down to tenants, the spokesperson said.
Small and medium industries in the logistical areas will also receive a rent holiday for six months, she said.

[Ancient Mariner]

Phew, lucky to transit Doha Thursday last, Denpasar to Oslo.
Per

[marchino61]

Phew, lucky to transit Doha Thursday last, Denpasar to Oslo.
Per

Why lucky? The article states that transit is still allowed.

However, air cargo and transit flights, in addition to any flight with Qatari citizens coming from any destination in the world, will be allowed.

[Ancient Mariner]

Why lucky? The article states that transit is still allowed.
That's me punished for not reading more than headlines. On the other hand was just informed that the island of Gili Trawangan, where we spent three weeks is closed down. Somewhat lucky then? ;)
Per

[marchino61]

That's me punished for not reading more than headlines. On the other hand was just informed that the island of Gili Trawangan, where we spent three weeks is closed down. Somewhat lucky then? ;)
Per

As I implied above, that was an exceptionally poor headline.

[Arkroyal]

As I implied above, that was an exceptionally poor headline.

And symptomatic of a media culture which, even in grave times like this, can’t resist their urge to sensationalise and exaggerate.

[TURIN]

Just for clarity, could someone explain exactly what is meant by a 'transit flight' please?

I have my own opinion of what it means but its probably wrong.
Any help appreciated.

Regards
T

[Mr Mac]

Ancient Mariner
Very nice islands the Gili,s a little gem , hope you had a good holiday.

Cheers
Mr Mac

[StudentInDebt]

Just for clarity, could someone explain exactly what is meant by a 'transit flight' please?

I have my own opinion of what it means but its probably wrong.
Any help appreciated.

Regards
T
Does this answer your question? https://www.qatarairways.com/en/travel-alerts.html

[krismiler]

There appears to be an easy solution, simply have a Qatari citizen onboard and the problem is solved.

A transit flight would be one which simply stops to refuel en route without any embarkation or disembarkation of passengers.

[StudentInDebt]

There appears to be an easy solution, simply have a Qatari citizen onboard and the problem is solved.

A transit flight would be one which simply stops to refuel en route without any embarkation or disembarkation of passengers.
In case clicking on a link proves too difficult here is what QATAR have to say
Entry Restrictions into Qatar
Under the instructions of the Ministry of Public Health, from midnight Wednesday evening, 18 March, entry to the State of Qatar will only be allowed for Qatari nationals, who will be required to enter quarantine for a period of 14 days.

Passport holders of other nations will no longer be granted entry for a period of 14 days, after which the restrictions will be reviewed. Passengers with onward connections through HIA will be accepted for travel and Qatar Airways’ global network will continue its operation for transit passengers as normal. Cargo operations remain unaffected.

[hec7or]

In case clicking on a link proves too difficult here is what QATAR have to say

"Passport holders of other nations will no longer be granted entry for a period of 14 days, after which the restrictions will be reviewed. Passengers with onward connections through HIA will be accepted for travel and Qatar Airways’ global network will continue its operation for transit passengers as normal. Cargo operations remain unaffected."

I think we are getting "transit flights" confused with "transit passengers"

[Black Pudding]

There appears to be an easy solution, simply have a Qatari citizen onboard and the problem is solved.

A transit flight would be one which simply stops to refuel en route without any embarkation or disembarkation of passengers.

Wrong in this case

What it means is passengers can get off, go to the transfer terminal and catch an onward flight. They are not allowed to go through immigration at Doha and leave the terminal unless you’re a local, and I mean local as in a Qatari.

A large % of our travellers are transit passengers.

[marchino61]

There appears to be an easy solution, simply have a Qatari citizen onboard and the problem is solved.

A transit flight would be one which simply stops to refuel en route without any embarkation or disembarkation of passengers.

No. That is not right.

Passengers with onward connections through HIA will be accepted for travel and Qatar Airways’ global network will continue its operation for transit passengers as normal. Cargo operations remain unaffected.

[krismiler]

Unlike Dubai and to a lesser extent, Abu Dhabi, Qatar would have very few passengers stopping over for 2-3 days whilst en route to somewhere else so not allowing foreigners to clear immigration wouldn’t be so much of a problem.

The announcement is poorly worded, transfer and transit are commonly misunderstood terms in the travel industry, this link provides an explanation of the difference.

https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/265182/the-difference-between-transfer-and-transit-in-the-context-of-airports-and-t