Be responsible to defeat pandemic

This refers to the report ‘ROP warns against gatherings’ ( Muscat Daily Page 1, July 4).

The non-compliance on the part of certain people is quite unfortunate despite clear guidelines being in place.

While healthcare workers continue to struggle coping with the alarming situation, people conveniently ignoring the guidelines should be severely dealt with. The media keeps on highlighting the noncompliance and its adverse effects; it is the responsibility of each individual to adhere to the guidelines and strictly follow the protocols whether they are vaccinated or not.

Wearing masks, following social distancing and avoiding crowded places need to be adhered to while in public places.

I firmly believe that the people of Oman, both citizens and residents, are respecting the Supreme Committee decisions on the pandemic. However, the isolated cases of non-compliance may trigger the spread of the virus. People must understand that authorities and healthcare workers are struggling to combat the spread of the virus for which support from each individual is crucial.

At the same time, some of the photos appearing in print and visual media of various functions often show people without masks and in close proximity. This practice does not send a serious message.

If we want our lives to return to normalcy, our constant support to the preventive measures is critical. It is our responsibility to strictly follow the COVID-19 guidelines without any compromise. We must think twice before venturing out.

Ramachandran Nair

Ruwi