City Center Doha extends closure

The City Center Doha, which was expected to reopen today, will now remain closed until further notice, the management announced yesterday. The shopping mall has been closed since June 15 on the order of the Ministry of Interior, for putting in place advanced safety, security and health measures at its premises. “Due to fire and safety system upgrade, City Center Doha will remain closed until further notice. We apologise for any inconvenience and disappointment caused,” said a notice pasted yesterday near the entrances of the mall by the CCD management. Sources at the mall said the company was adding several top quality safety features on the instructions of the civil defence officials, and the mall would be ready only when all such works were completed and inspections carried out by experts from the Ministry of Interior’s civil defence section. It is learnt that tenants at the complex could visit the place and help in the inspection efforts, if asked to do so. Two of Qatar’s major malls continue to be closed, with Villaggio being the first one, in the wake of the fire tragedy on May 28, which resulted in the death of 19 people, including 13 children. However, other major malls have been experiencing heavy rush ever since Villaggio and City Center Doha, closed.from gulf times.