ionigeria.com Nigerian Newspaper
The nation of Qatar is requiring future attendees of the upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup to be vaccinated, the Associated Press reported on Sunday.
Qatar Prime Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani told a newspaper that the country is working on securing one million vaccine doses so fans can be able to watch the tournament.
“We are currently negotiating with a company to provide one million vaccine doses against the coronavirus for the immunization of those coming to the FIFA World Cup Qatar,” Sheikh Khalid said in the AP report. “Our primary goal in vaccinating the unvaccinated is to protect the public health of citizens and residents.”
Sheikh Khalid also said that most countries will have their citizens fully vaccinated by the time the tournament begins but acknowledged some countries might not be able to do so, according to the AP.
“Due to the possibility that some countries will not be able to vaccinate all their citizens, Qatar will not allow fans to enter stadiums without receiving a full vaccination against the virus,” Sheikh Khalid said.
Qatar, which won their bid to host a World Cup in 2010, has seen criticism in the past few years over claims of human rights violations over the treatment of workers who are building the eight stadiums qualifying teams will compete in.
