A cabinet decision on Wednesday to return to mask-wearing comes amid a rise in Covid-19 cases.

Qatar’s authorities confirmed masked will be mandatory in all closed public spaces, as Covid-19 cases continue to increase across the country.

A cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al-Thani at the Amiri Diwan on Wednesday announced the decision following a review of a report from the health ministry.

The decision requires all citizens, residents and visitors to wear the protective gear as of Thursday, authorities said, less than two months after lifting the mask mandate.