Al-Watan, Al-Raya: HH the Amir's Directives to Provide COVID-19 Vaccine Important Step to Contain the Pandemic

Doha, December 20 (QNA) - Qatari newspapers Al-Watan and Al-Raya highlighted in their editorials on Sunday the directives of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to provide the necessary vaccines for all the people of Qatar. In this regard, the newspapers referred to the first shipment of the COVID-19 vaccine that will arrive on Monday, stressing that this is an important step on the road to containing the pandemic and gradually returning to normal life. The newspapers hailed the efforts of the medical staff and employees in the health sector and all the State's institutions in dealing decisively and effectively with this pandemic by implementing strict measures that successfully led to flattening the daily curve of infection. For its part, Al-Watan newspaper said that under the directives of HH the Amir, the first shipment of Covid-19 vaccine will arrive tomorrow, noting that HE Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al-Thani directed the health sector to provide it to everyone in accordance with health standards. The paper referred to what HE the Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior said in his Twitter account that this is an important step on the road to containing the pandemic and gradually returning to normal life. The newspaper pointed out that the health sector responded early to combat the virus, noting that this had the most significant effect on the high rate of recovery in the country and reduced the death rate, compared to other countries in the world. The paper added that the State of Qatar was able, thanks to the high-level health care, to contain the virus, flat the curve and limit the spread of the virus, with a decrease in the number of daily cases, as well as a decrease in the number of hospital admissions per week. The proactive and intensive examinations of suspected cases also contributed to identifying a large number of confirmed cases in the community, and also worked to protect the elderly and those with chronic diseases from the risk of infection, through a set of preventive measures, the paper said, adding that the State succeeded in avoiding a new wave of the virus, the paper pointed out. The paper also affirmed Qatar's continuous and active involvement in the international arena, by providing urgent medical aid, which has reached to twenty countries in the world, with the aim of supporting their efforts to confront the virus by providing medical equipment, personal protection and field hospitals. Al-Watan concluded that with the arrival of the vaccine, hopes are raised for the eradication of this virus and the return to our normal life, calling for commitment to precautionary measures until the results we aspire will be achieved. In turn, Al-Raya newspaper said that the Amiri directives to provide the necessary vaccines for all the people of Qatar, and the arrival of the first shipment of Covid-19 vaccine tomorrow, is an important step on the road to containing the pandemic and gradually returning life to normal. The newspaper said that the Qatari people have the right to express their pride in the success of the plan drawn up by the State to confront the disease, and the wise leadership has the right to renew its thanks to the medical teams. The newspaper emphasized that Qatar was able, with direct guidance and follow-up from the wise leadership, to achieve great success in limiting the spread of the Coronavirus in the country, and has also succeeded in combating the virus and flattening the curve thanks to preventive measures, concerted efforts and fruitful cooperation with partners in the government and private sectors, adding that the arrival of the first shipment of the vaccine confirms that Qatar has entered a new phase in addressing the pandemic by implementing vaccination campaigns. The arrival of the Covid-19 vaccine shipments and Qatar's success in flattening the curve of infections, stabilizing the situation, reducing the virus spread, returning life to normal, and easing restrictions should motivate all citizens and residents to abide by the precautionary measures put in place by the State to combat the virus, as it is part of the preservation of their health and safety, the newspaper added. Al-Raya stressed that there should be no laxity in implementing the necessary precautionary measures of wearing masks, leaving a safe distance, and applying the rules of social distancing, given that the importance of adhering to these measures comes from the State's keenness on the lives of citizens and residents, especially since everyone is aware of the seriousness of the virus. Therefore, the State, with all its institutions, dealt with this pandemic decisively and effectively by implementing strict measures that successfully led to flattening the daily curve of infections, entering into a gradual opening and returning life to normal, the paper added. The daily newspaper said that the arrival of the first shipment of the vaccine would give these measures a boost because it includes an important step to contain the pandemic and gradually return to normal life, but this depends on the cooperation of all members of the community with the State, which has implemented all its therapeutic and preventive obligations through the precautionary measures it has put in place and through the provision of treatment to patients and finally the purchase of vaccines against this deadly virus. In conclusion, Al-Raya praised the success of the State of Qatar in implementing its strategy to confront the Coronavirus pandemic by protecting citizens and residents in the country, ensuring the resilience of the health care system, ensuring that the impact on the economy and society is minimal and committing to its international responsibilities to stand with other countries that are in need of assistance, pointing out that through the arrival of the first shipment of the vaccine tomorrow, Qatar will enter a new stage in the efforts to combat the pandemic. (QNA)