More than 1,000 tests conducted so far: MOPH official

Doha: Qatar has conducted more than 1,000 tests in the build-up of the AFC Champions League matches set to commence this week. This was announced yesterday by Dr Abdulwahab Almusleh, Senior Consultant to the Minister of Public Health (MOPH), as regional giants prepared for a series of matches in the West Zone clashes from tomorrow. 

“This is a very important sports event being held in exceptional times. We feel we are ready for this event as we have gained experience after conducting Qatar Stars League (QSL) matches.” Dr Abdulwahab said yesterday during a preevent new conference at Al Janoub Stadium.”  

“After the teams and players enter the hotel, all of them will be undergoing tests every two or three days. In addition to that, temperatures will be checked at entry and exit points. As I mentioned, we have carried 1,000 tests so far. Volunteers are also tested. We are going to continue with other measures in the coming days and weeks.”

“The medical services and precautions for this event align with AFC regulations to host matches. The medical services have been implemented at the accommodation provided to team players and officials and at the match venues. There will be a clinic 24x7 to give paramedic services at six official hotels. There will be complete medical coverage at stadiums also. We will have a number of medical teams within the stadiums,” Dr Abdulwahab added. 

“We have issued relevant medical and safety protocols. The protocols have been handed out to AFC officials and the teams present in Qatar. Our preparations for dealing with the virus during the event is to ensure that the players and officials have not contracted the virus. We asked those arriving in Doha to undergo tests three days before landing in Doha. The ones arriving for the event have undergone tests at the airport. Necessary follow-up swab tests have been carried out after entering the hotels.”  

“We have carried out the COVID-19 tests of players and officials keeping in mind the medical and safety protocols. All players are required to have tested negative before entering the hotel for the safety of all. The same applies to the match officials and referees. All have to be in quarantine at the six hotels dedicated for the event. These hotels are part of the bio-secure bubble so no guests or visitors are allowed.”  

“We are relying on bubbleto-bubble formula at the hotels, at the match and training venues. There will be no contact with anyone outside this bubble, including the bus drivers. So keeping in mind the MOPH protocols, we are bound to follow them and implement the rules. Social distancing, wearing masks, using hand sanitisers is compulsory in all areas - at hotels, in buses and in the stadiums,” Dr Abdulwahab said. 

He said hosting of the QSL matches in late July and for most past of August set things in motion for Qatar. 

“Hosting the last few rounds of the QSL matches was the beginning of our activities. That was the first step of relaunching sports activities in Qatar. There was a great deal of understanding among the stakeholders. The players and teams and officials remained committed to the medical and safety protocols throughout,” Dr Abdulwahab said. 

“We took swab tests every three to six days. The league was very successful. It ended in a good way. There were no clusters of cases reported. Even at the end of the league, we had a small number of spectators and to see if we are ready to host matches in front of the fans,” he added.

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