Welcome to #FreshStartMonday

The matches have begun at Qatar 2022, the biggest and most important soccer competition in the world. This year, 32 nations are competing and despite the excitement that soccer generates in its fans, this tournament is atypical. In compliance with local laws and customs, the Qatari authorities have imposed a number of restrictions that fans in the West are not used to but must respect.
 
If you, or someone you know, will be traveling to Qatar for the World Cup, we recommend that you take note of the following information:
 
It is forbidden to...

• Enter mosques if you are not a believer of Islam.
• Talk to Qatari women on the streets.
• Party in the streets.
• Display LGBTQ+ flags or symbols.
• Carry and display religious items.
• Smoke in public places (museums, sports clubs, shopping malls and restaurants).
• Wear clothes that reveal too much skin.
• Take pictures of public places (such as mosques, construction sites, military compounds, retail locations) and of locals.
• Public displays of affection (holding hands, kissing, etc.).
• Carry alcohol in your luggage.
• Consume alcohol outside the permitted areas (stadiums, hotels, restaurants).
• Consume any type of drugs.
• Have sexual relations outside of marriage.
• Engage in activities such as demonstrations, large group conglomerations, religious proselytizing, advocate atheism and display any sort of speech against the government or Islam.

 
General information and recommendations

• Show respect for the local culture and faith.
• Carry cash to pay for tips in hotels and restaurants. Locals tend to pay between 10% and 15%.
• A beer or glass of wine can cost around USD$16.
• The FIFA Fan Zones are the only places where the sale and consumption of alcohol is permitted. These are their opening hours:
  • They open 3 hours before each match.
  • They close 30 minutes before the game starts.  
  • They reopen 1 hour after the end of each game.
  • There will be no sale or consumption of alcohol during the games.
• You should verify with your embassy the legality and use of some medical treatments (stimulants, analgesics, among others).
• Bring your doctor’s prescriptions for any medications you take.
• It is necessary to cover your shoulders and knees in public places.
• Women must wear the veil (also called hijab, niqab or burqa) in official buildings.
• Pregnant women should bring their marriage certificate in case they need medical treatment.
• Unmarried pregnant women should contact their embassies before contacting the Qatari authorities.
• It is recommended to obtain the Hayya card to use public transportation. to use public transportation.
• It is not yet clear what restrictions there will be for the LGBTQ+ community. We recommend consulting your embassy for this information.

 
COVID-19 Guidelines

• La vacunación contra el COVID-19 NO es obligatoria.
• Visitors are no longer required to bring a PCR or Rapid Antigen test certificate before travelling to Qatar.
• Masks are mandatory in health facilities.
• Masks are recommended/optional in stadiums and in public transportation.
• Pre-entry Ehteraz registration before travel it is not required for Visitors who have Hayya Card.

The Ehteraz app is mandatory for access to indoor public places (such as subways and shopping malls). It is not required to enter stadiums.