Qatar has added the UK and several other countries to its travel red list after rising COVID cases. Effective from 15th November, the UK will join 20 other countries on Qatar's red list, including the UAE, Russia, Singapore and Turkey.

UK added to Qatar's red list

Qatar has updated its travel red list, adding the UK and five more countries. The new list is effective from 15th November and will mean travelers from red list countries need to complete a hotel quarantine upon arrival.

The move comes after a surge in COVID-19 cases across the UK and Europe. The UK has seen a 12.5% rise in weekly COVID cases (269,800 new cases). Qatar has a dual Green/Red list system for almost all countries but also maintains an “exceptional red list” of 10 countries banning entry for all unvaccinated travelers.

The UK's Foreign Office (FCDO) added,

"A revised traffic light system for entry to Qatar will come into effect from 15 November 2021. The UK is listed as a red country."

Qatar's red list countries include Barbados, Brunei Darussalam, Estonia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Iran, Latvia, Lithuania, Mongolia, Montenegro, Palestine, Romania, Russia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Serbia, Singapore, Syria, Turkey, the UK and the UAE.

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Stricter travel requirements

Travelers from red list countries can still enter Qatar but requirements will now be a lot tighter. Requirements for double-jabbed travelers are less strict than unvaccinated, but all visitors will still need to complete a quarantine upon arrival.

Fully vaccinated travelers will need to:

  • Provide a negative PCR test (taken 72 hours before arrival).
  • Take another PCR test upon arrival at their hotel.
  • Quarantine in a hotel for up to two days.

Unvaccinated travelers will need to:

  • Provide a negative PCR test (taken 72 hours before arrival).
  • Quarantine in a hotel for seven days.
  • Take a PCR test upon arrival and on day six.
All travelers must download Qatar's track and trace app, Ehteraz. Photo: Getty Images

The approved vaccines for entry into Qatar are Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Jansen. The country has also 'conditionally approved' of Sinopharm, Sinovac and Sputnik V, which have special requirements.

According to the Qatar Ministry of Health, "a positive Serology Antibody test pre-travel is mandatory for individuals with two doses of a conditionally approved vaccine, with the validity of the test being 30 days."

Additionally, travelers who have received two doses of a conditionally approved vaccine and one dose of an approved vaccine will be considered fully immune.

All visitors must pre-register on the ehteraz.gov.qa website or app and upload the necessary documentation at least three days before arrival. Travelers will also need to download and activate the Ehteraz app upon arrival. The Foreign Office also confirms, "downloading Qatar’s track and trace app, Ehteraz, is mandatory for everyone in Qatar. You will be asked to show the app upon arrival."

Transit flights are unaffected

Fortunately, travelers from red list countries can still transit through Qatar. According to the Foreign Office, "transit passengers travelling on to another destination can still transfer through Qatar, and many flights continue to operate."

Travelers from red list countries can still transit through Qatar. Photo: Getty Images.

However, the Foreign Office advises passengers to still check with their airline if they are leaving the aircraft to transit through Qatar. Thermal screening and temperature checks are in place at Hamad International Airport.

Are you planning to visit Qatar any time soon? Let us know your travel plans in the comments.