Doha banned entry for visitors arriving from China, South Korea, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Lebanon, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Philipines, Thailand, and Syria. Moreover, Qatar Airways have already suspended flights to and from Italy.
"This step comes in line with the State of Qatar’s efforts to take all necessary preventive measures to limit the spread of Coronavirus. The decision affects all individuals intending to enter from these countries, including visas upon arrival, those with a residence or work permit, and temporary visitors", the government said in a statement.
Doha also urged Qatari citizens to avoid all non-essential travel abroad.
On a global scale, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases has surpassed 109,000, including 15 cases in Qatar, and over 3,800 of the patients have died from the disease, according to Johns Hopkins University. Meanwhile, some 60,600 patients have recovered.
COVID-19 was first detected in China's Wuhan in late December and has since spread across the world. In late January, the World Health Organisation declared a global health emergency in light of the epidemic.