Doha (AFP)
The Qataries returned to the beach on Wednesday with the lifting of part of the restrictions imposed to stop the spread of the new coronavirus in this small Gulf country which recorded one of the highest per capita rates in the world.
Sun-lovers and jet-ski enthusiasts braved temperatures reaching 39 ° C to once again enjoy the public beaches, in particular that of the Katara Cultural Village, one of the busiest in the capital Doha.
More than 3.5% of Qatar's 2.75 million people have suffered from Covid-19 disease, according to official figures which show 115 deaths since March.
But the average of new infections per day recorded in the past week has dropped to 889. It had reached 1,086 cases a week earlier.
"We have been waiting for a long time, it's a special moment for me," said Ali al-Khelaifi, a Qatari who is about to launch his jet ski for the first time since the suspension of water sports in March as part of measures taken in response to the new coronavirus.
Around him, other bathers were bathed in sunscreen while children were playing with the sand. The places were delimited by ropes to maintain physical distance as a precautionary measure.
"I am very happy to be back at the beach, I love it and the weather is very nice," said Fatma Khatei, an Egyptian resident who came to Katara with her family.
She is especially happy for her children: "I was able during confinement to go shopping, but it is the first day of outing for my children. They cannot believe that we are returning to normal life ".
Elsewhere in Doha, dozens of luxury SUVs were lining up in front of a row of food trucks that reopened Wednesday after several months of closure.
Qatar has lifted restrictions on access to public gardens and mosques, and has allowed cafes and restaurants to reopen with strict protection measures.
Masks are compulsory in public, with the exception of people doing sports. And gatherings are limited to five people.
© 2020 AFP