COVID-19: Oman allows more activities to reopen

Cairo: Oman announced Tuesday it was resuming a new set of economic activities including issuance of tourist visas, cinemas and museums, further easing restrictions earlier imposed due to the spread of the new coronavirus.

A list of businesses, due to reopen starting Tuesday, included the tourist visa-issuing facilities, provided obtaining an advance reservation to stay at a hotel while abiding by procedures related to entering into and exiting the sultanate set by a state supreme committee in charge of tackling COVID-19 in Oman.

Other activities allowed to reopen comprise restaurants in shopping malls, beaches, gardens, health clubs, tourist sites including museums and fortresses, rehabilitation and curative centres, nurseries as well as kindergartens, amusement game halls and change rooms. Children aged 12 and below are allowed into all activities.

The reopening comes after approval from the Supreme Committee in charge of tackling COVID-19. The panel on Monday decided to end downsizing employee attendance at government offices, reinstating full reporting to workplaces starting from Sunday, December 6, the Omani news agency ONA reported.

All institutions were, meanwhile, urged to continue taking precautionary measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and following up full abidance, ONA added.

Oman so far has reported a tally of 123,699 virus cases and 1,423 related fatalities.