In an effort to improve traffic flow and start the final FIFA World Cup preparations, Qatar has established new rules for work and school schedules for the next tournament.
The judgments were disclosed in a video that was broadcast on the Government Communications Office (GCO) Twitter account by Mohammed Nuwaymi Al Hajri, who serves as the GCO’s official spokesperson.
Have fun reviewing movies and drinks
Slash working hours, set remote work
Per the cabinet’s new amendments, the workforce in the governmental sector will be reduced to 20% starting November 1 and up until December 19, a day after the end of the mega-event. The remaining percentage is set to work remotely.
Working hours for the government sector will also be reduced to four hours a day, from 7am to 11am.
However, the defence, military, health, or educational fields are excluded from the new regulations and will proceed with work as needed.
Meanwhile, the private sector is set to operate business as normal.
Qatar’s ministry of education has also released details regarding school working hours in all private and public schools from November 1 until November 17, as the country gears to welcome millions of visitors.
First, authorities have set the hours for all schools across the nation from 7am until 12 in the afternoon, totalling to five hours per day. Likewise, from November 1 to November 3, students will be in schools from 7am to 12pm.
Meanwhile, during the first semester exam period from November 6 to 17, students in all schools across the nation that apply national standards will report from 9am until 11am only.
However, school time for students and employees in private nurseries and education facilities for individuals with disabilities remains the same with no changes.
The government resolution also stated that the mid-year break will run from November 20 to December 22. This will give students and schools enough time to celebrate the World Cup with the rest of the world and return to work a couple of days after the tournament ends.
The new amendments, however, have sparked several debates among parents who enrolled their children in international programs.
Such slash in hours and extension of breaks have put thousands of students currently studying American diplomas, International Baccalaureate or IGES under immense pressure to finish all the material needed for examination on time.
Parents have taken to social media groups and online platforms to protest the decision, saying that students are being overworked and given ‘too much in such little time’ for them to grasp and prepare well for their international examination.
The education government has not addressed their calls.
Road closures, traffic control
Regarding the roadways, the cabinet declared that the Doha Corniche will be off-limits to vehicles during Qatar’s hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Starting on November 1 and continuing until December 19, the area will only be accessible by foot to allow for tournament activities.
