Doha, May 30 (QNA) - Al-Sharq and Gulf Times newspapers emphasized the need for community members in the State of Qatar to realize that laxity in precautionary measures increases Covid-19 cases and that the availability of the vaccine does not mean the end of the pandemic.

The papers noted the start of the gradual lifting of restrictions imposed by the Coronavirus pandemic, which represents the first stage of the four-stage plan approved by the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management.

The two newspapers affirmed the success of the measures taken by the State of Qatar in addressing the spread of the Covid-19, as the positive results of the restrictions and the acceleration of the pace of vaccination against the virus, as well as the support, cooperation and response of the community, led to a decline in daily infection rates.

The State of Qatar, since the beginning of the spread of the pandemic, has realized the importance of adopting a comprehensive approach in which the roles between state institutions and agencies and the strength and effectiveness of the high-quality health system, based on comprehensive health coverage, and the involvement of citizens and residents in the battle to confront the pandemic, have a major role in containing the epidemiological waves that the country witnessed, Al-Sharq stressed.

Furthermore, the paper expressed optimism about the decline in infection rates, but the news received during the past two days that the competent authorities referred hundreds of people to the competent prosecution for non-compliance with the preventive and precautionary measures in place to limit the spread of the Coronavirus, is a warning sign to everyone that it is necessary not to be complacent with regard to adhering to the precautionary and preventive measures in place.

Al-Sharq emphasized that laxity in adhering to the precautionary measures in dealing with this pandemic, which posed an unprecedented challenge to all countries of the world, may make society vulnerable to a greater danger than ever before, and may threaten all the successes achieved in dealing with the spread of the virus.

The newspaper concluded by saying that the health and safety of all members of society is everyone's responsibility, and everyone has a role and responsibility in preserving his safety and the safety of others from the threat of the virus that still exists, whether that is through adherence to preventive measures, or to register to receive the vaccine, given that continuing to implement the remaining stages of the gradual lifting of restrictions depends on the extent to which all members of society respond and adhere to the precautionary measures.

In turn, the English Gulf Times newspaper stressed the importance of following the precautionary measures imposed by the State of Qatar to contain the spread of Covid-19, noting that the experience in Qatar and other countries around the world has shown vaccination and precautionary measures complement each other.

The newspaper said in its editorial today that the four-phased lifting of restrictions imposed by Qatar to contain the spread of Covid-19 has come into effect on Friday, in view of the positive indicators seen on the number of infections in the society.

The newspaper added that the State of Qatar has done well by maintaining one of the lowest Covid-19 death rates in the world, besides registering a fall in the number of hospital admissions and a decrease in the number of daily cases in the last few weeks.

At the peak of the coronavirus, Qatar had seen more than 2,000 new confirmed cases a day, but for the past few weeks the number has fallen with only 202 cases being registered on Friday, the paper said.

The Gulf Times referred to Chair of the National Strategic Group on Covid-19 and Head of the Infectious Diseases Division at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) Dr. Abdullatif Al Khal's statements that although Qatar was worried about a rise in infections after the Eid holidays, these were considerably low due to the high level of awareness among the people and the progress of the national vaccination programmed. However, Dr. Al Khal said that the gradual lifting of restrictions in the coming period does not mean laxity in strictly following the preventive and precautionary measures as the virus is still there and spreading in many countries around the world, the paper added.

The newspaper revealed that data show that nearly 60% of eligible people in Qatar have got at least one dose of the vaccine, stressing that the measures are there for the protection of the people, in particular those who have not got the vaccine so far.

The Gulf Times concluded its editorial by saying that the Covid-19 pandemic has placed a new level of personal accountability on each one of us, pointing out that everyone must remain committed to the precautions to slow the spread of coronavirus and protect the health and vitality of people. (QNA)