Muscat: Oman will be on a total lockdown starting from Saturday, July 25 until Saturday, August 8, as announced by the Supreme Committee on COVID-19. The Committee also banned movement and closure of all public places and shops between 7pm and 6am during the lockdown period. Patrols and checkpoints will be intensified during the daytime. The Supreme Committee also banned all types of gatherings, including Eid prayers, traditional Eid markets, and group celebrations of the Eid or exchange of visits.
Residents and citizens of Oman welcomed the move and are ready to set aside any impediments.
Salam Al Kindi, Director of Corporate Affairs, at Salam Air, which operates from Oman said that this is indeed a welcome move and is very important for the country to control the numbers. “I am sure many are happy about this step taken by the government. In fact, we were expecting this from after Ramadan time. This measure needs support and cooperation from each and every one, irrespective of the effect it will have on businesses around. We had planned a number of charters during this period at different timings of the day which will all be rescheduled now for daytime operations only. This measure will help in controlling the numbers which in turn will enable businesses to bounce back,” Salam said.
Even as the lockdown means disruption in their activities, hotels and hospitality industry professionals have come out strongly to support the initiative. Ryan Cornelio, Associate Director of Sales at Sheraton Oman hotel says that this lockdown is the need of the hour as cases are on the rise. “There will be impact on the businesses and their operations, especially hospitality industry, but that’s fine in comparison to the consequence otherwise.” A similar opinion was also shared by Ahmad Al Houssary, Cluster Director of Sales at Atana hotels.
Bigger cause
Manal Al Hassani, Media Officer, Oman Air, said she completely supported the lockdown. “My parents and my in-laws stay in different governorates from mine and I cannot meet them during this lockdown period. But that’s fine looking at the bigger cause and we can always use the video calling option to chat and exchange wishes during Eid. During the last lockdown, I learnt stitching and designed a few frocks for my daughters, and I am sure, I will learn something new during this lockdown as well,” she said.
Ali Mohammadi, blogger and a certified guide, popularly known to many within and outside Oman as OmanTripper, said that the lockdown is essential. “This is needed to bring the cases down and it is proven world over that lockdown does bring down the cases. The timing of the lockdown is also ideal,” Ali noted.
“By keeping the morning hours open, and with reinforced check points, most business houses can operate smoothly. We are planning to work in a straight shift, instead of our usual break shift in compliance with the curfew timings. Since restaurants will also be open, getting lunch too will not be in an issue for my bachelor staff,” said Govind Shankar, who heads the Sales and Marketing division of a leading automobile dealership in Oman.
Interestingly, most of the restaurants are upbeat as this would open up a new channel of business with the proposed changed work timings of most of the offices and lunch orders for Eid that they expect to be more than the usual.
