Qatar presses on with World Cup projects despite coronavirus

Work on Qatar’s World Cup stadiums and mega-projects linked to the match have continued apace regardless of robust social distancing guidelines to stem the unfold of coronavirus among the many largely migrant workforce. Dozens of labourers with lined faces and sporting near-identical blue overalls clamoured throughout the huge exoskeleton of Lusail Stadium, an enviornment set to host the ultimate of the 2022 match, AFP correspondents noticed on Thursday.

Dozens of autos together with buses, diggers and water tankers criss-crossed the complicated of latest parks, residence blocks and tram stops across the stadium, which is able to turn into Qatar’s largest with a capability of 80,000. The variety of confirmed infections amongst these concerned in building for 2022 services stands at eight throughout three stadium tasks, however organisers haven’t given an up to date toll since Friday.

Qatari authorities have declared 7,764 confirmed infections nationwide, 10 deaths and 750 recoveries. The supreme committee chargeable for delivering the match stated it “is reviewing the situation on a continuous basis and will take the necessary measures to protect the health and safety of all construction workers and direct staff”.

Those measures “may include temporary suspension of work as and when required,” it added in an announcement.

Building work for the stadiums and infrastructure to stage the match has continued via the disaster whilst non-essential retail has been halted and mosques, parks and eating places have closed.

Work on roads, the airport and different infrastructure has continued throughout the well being emergency.

From Sunday onwards, will probably be obligatory for all building staff in Qatar to put on masks.

Previously crowded buses ferrying labourers between their lodging and work websites have been ordered to solely enable one passenger for each two seats, with a view to restrict the transmission threat.

The labour ministry stated final week it had issued a penalty to a contractor for failing to function its employee transport buses at 50 % capability.

Rights teams have raised considerations that cramped residing circumstances, communal meals preparation areas and shared sanitary services generally present in labourer lodging might exacerbate the unfold of the virus and compromise social distancing measures.