*Amir hopes this Holy Month of Ramadan will be a month of grace and blessings for all
*The appropriate time for a gradual opening of different sectors will be decided in consultation with the competent bodies
*All must join efforts to face the economic consequences of this pandemic, which are marked by low oil prices and a possible global economic recession
*Cabinet directed to undertake radical reforms to ensure that Qatar's economy should not stay hostage to fluctuations in energy prices
*The pandemic's economic and social repercussions can be overcome only by international cooperation at the highest and most comprehensive levels
*Role of medical workers, volunteers, security forces, public and private sector workers in the fight against Covid-19 commended
His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani delivered yesterday evening a speech on the occasion of the advent of the Holy Month of Ramadan of the year 1441 AH.
Addressing the citizens and all the residents of Qatar, His Highness the Amir congratulated them on the advent of the Holy Month of Ramadan, hoping it will be a month of grace and blessings "upon our dear country, the two Arab and Islamic Ummahs, and the entire humanity".
The Amir said the circumstances of this year have made him replace Ramadan receptions with an address and highlighted the importance of the Holy Month in Islam.
His Highness the Amir reminded his audience that the Holy Month has come while the whole world is in the midst of confronting the Covid -19 pandemic which medical researchers have neither been able to find a vaccine nor effective cure. He called for high-level international cooperation in the fight against the pandemic.
Stressing the importance of stemming the spread of the coronavirus, His Highness the Amir underlined the need for social distancing , sterilisation, personal protection and quarantine.
His Highness the Amir said Qatar initiated steps to deal with Covid-19 early as the State was able to realise the gravity of the crisis and "relied upon our expertise in crisis management" and the medical institutions and staff, benefiting from the best international experiences and practices. Precautionary measures taken included suspending education in schools and universities, reducing contact in public places, closing commercial complexes, entertainment centers, public parks and facilities, in addition to reducing the number of employees in public and private institutions, cutting working hours and other measures.
His Highness the Amir said Qatar adhered to transparency from the beginning of the pandemic, because concealing the facts would expose people to danger.
Seeking public support for the State's initiatives, the Amir asked the citizens and residents to strictly follow the instructions to curb infections and thereby the pandemic.
"The State has been keen on providing all the necessities for individual prevention in the markets. New factories have been established to provide some of these necessities. We have strengthened the necessary medical staff and equipment, and established field hospitals that can accommodate thousands of people, hopefully we never need to use them," the Amir said.
His Highness the Amir thanked the medical staff members who work on the frontline against the pandemic, as well as the police, the security authorities, the administrative bodies and the workers in the vital services of the State and economic sectors for their dedicated service. He also commended the tens of thousands of volunteers.
While acknowledging the success of the work-from-home initiative, the Amir said the decision to end the restrictions will be taken at the right time. "We will examine, in consultation with the competent bodies, the appropriate time for a gradual opening of different fields, but only after making sure of identifying all the cases that need to be held in quarantine, and that individuals, institutions, commercial stores and various utilities are complying with the strict prevention measures. We will never put peoples health at risk."
To overcome the current crisis, the State has allocated large funds and a package of financial and economic incentives for the private sector, the Amir said.
Referring to the economic consequences of the pandemic, which are marked by low oil prices and a possible global economic recession , the Amir said the forthcoming months will be challenging for countries that have energy exports as the main source of income.
"We will take the necessary steps and procedures to cross that stage. We have started conducting studies and drawing up plans for that. Your cooperation with us will be vital to counter the repercussions of the pandemic in the future. This is what national responsibility requires.
"Our economy should not stay hostage to fluctuations in energy prices, and I have directed the Council of Ministers to undertake radical reforms to liberalise our economies and limit the impact of such changes on it in the future. This issue is not new, we have discussed it over and over. Now is the time for action.
"On this occasion, I ask the heads of state in the world, especially, the major industrialised countries, and the relevant international organisations, to cooperate, not to compete, in the field of vaccines and cures production. I assure that it will not be possible to counter the pandemic's economic and social repercussions without international cooperation and coordination at the highest and most comprehensive level possible.
"In conclusion, I would like to bring you good tidings, that in Qatar we are proceeding with confident strides on the right track."
Full text of His Highness the Amir's speech
https://www.gulf-times.com/story/661516/Amir-We-will-never-put-people-s-health-at-risk
from Gulf Times https://ift.tt/2VA8EJK
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