BSP-16 Qatar confirms first virus cases at World Cup sites

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BSP-16

HEALTH-VIRUS-QATAR-FBL

Qatar confirms first virus cases at World Cup sites

DOHA, April 15, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Qatar reported on Wednesday that
five coronavirus cases have been detected in workers at three World
Cup stadiums, the first confirmed instances among those involved in
2022 tournament projects.

The Gulf nation has reported a total of seven deaths, 3,711 COVID-19
infections and 406 recoveries since March 6 but had not previously
disclosed any positive tests from workers at World Cup sites.

“The Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC) has confirmed
that two staff members who work for an SC Contractor on the Al-Thumama
Stadium project have tested positive for COVID-19,” organisers said in
a statement to AFP.

“In addition, three workers, one working on the Al-Rayyan Stadium
project and two on the Al-Bayt Stadium project have tested positive.”

Qatar is building seven new stadiums for the tournament, one of
which has officially opened, while one existing venue was refurbished
ahead of 2022.

The SC was following health ministry guidance to respond to the
cases and all those affected would continue to be paid and receive
free healthcare, the statement added.

The timings of the competition, due to be held in November and
December of 2022, remain unchanged by the coronavirus pandemic which
has already forced the postponement of the European football
championships and the Tokyo Olympics. Both will now take place in
2021.

Building work for the stadiums and infrastructure to host the global
soccer spectacle has continued through the crisis even as
non-essential retail has been halted and mosques, parks and
restaurants have closed.

– Precautionary measures –

The SC said workers with symptoms are examined on site with
suspected cases reported and referred for testing at accredited
hospitals, the only establishments authorised to undertake the
process.

“Those that have tested positive will be monitored on an ongoing
basis by medical professionals and will stay in quarantine for 14
days,” the statement said.

“Those who came into close contact with the confirmed cases of
COVID-19 are also in 14 day isolation, as a precautionary measure.”

The statement did not say that work had been suspended at any of the
affected stadiums.

Labourers at several non-SC construction sites across Doha have
continued to work in close proximity, AFP has seen, despite strict
government social distancing rules.

At one development close to the National Museum, a dozen workers —
some unmasked — crowded close together to weld steel supports over
the we

The Labour Ministry said on Monday that it had issued a penalty to a
contractor for failing to operate its worker transport buses at the
compulsory half capacity.

Authorities said they had received 1,328 complaints from workers on a
newly opened complaint hotline for reporting breaches of virus rules
and ex

Tens of thousands of workers are strictly confined to Doha’s
Industrial Area after dozens in the blue-collar district tested
positive for the virus last month.

Officials have said they are now considering easing the lockdown after
undertaking widespread testing, detection and treatment in the area.

Advocacy groups including Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Amnesty warn
that cramped accommodation and inadequate sanitation endanger migrant
workers across the Gulf, who may not have access to healthcare.

Qatar has assured migrant labourers that anyone who fears they have
coronavirus will receive free treatment and has guaranteed that those
under quarantine will continue to receive wages.

Ninety percent of Qatar’s 2.75 million people are expats. Many are
from developing countries and working on projects linked to the
tournament.

BSS/AFP/MRU/2234hrs