Qatar’s health ministry is considering a proposal making it mandatory for all expatriate chauffeurs and drivers to obtain health fitness certificates annually, sources said, cited by the Gulf Times newspaper.
Currently, only certain categories of workers, including food handlers, barbers, laundry-men and beauticians, require health fitness certificates issued by the department of preventive health.
The proposal to include drivers in the category stems from the fact that most Qatari households employ people who may carry contagious diseases such as tuberculosis.
A top department official told Gulf Times that contagious diseases spread fast in controlled environment such as air-conditioned rooms and cars.
“Passengers in an air-conditioned car run the risk of contracting tuberculosis if the driver suffers from TB,” he said.
Asked when the proposal will be implemented he said it depends on the go-ahead from the ministry. “But it may come through,” he told the paper – Albawaba.com
