BAN ON COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES COMES INTO FORCE

PEOPLE ADVISED TO FINISH THEIR SHOPPING WELL IN ADVANCE TO AVOID THE LAST MINUTE RUSH, OVERCROWDING AND POSSIBLE SPREAD OF COVID-19 INFECTION The ban on activities which began on May 8 will continue until May 15

MUSCAT: Ruwi High Street wore a deserted look on Saturday, after the ban on commercial activities came into effect.

Shoe shops, garment stores, barbershops, beauty salons, jewellers, watch repair shops, mobile retailers, and many other businesses had their shutters pulled down, as part of the measures implemented by the Supreme Committee, to stop the spread of COVID-19.

The ban, which began on May 8, will run until the evening of May 15. As part of these measures, people are also not allowed to venture outside their homes.

Exceptions, however, have been made for some shops, offices, and people, who can continue to work under strict guidelines

Groceries, bakeries, halwa, nut, and confectionery shops, ice cream and juice parlours, meat, poultry and fishmongers, shops selling honey, dates, and spices, and fruits and vegetables shops remain open, as will hypermarkets, which are allowed to run at only 30 per cent capacity.

Health facilities – including pharmacies, veterinary clinics, and opticians are also open during this week.

Home delivery and takeaway services can be run by restaurants

– however, without allowing entry to customers, who are also denied entry into the offices of several other companies that can stay open to complete their day-to-day functions. Delivery drivers from restaurants must also be issued a pass allowing them to travel on the roads during this period.

These include private companies and institutions, transport and storage firms, consultancies, account and audit offices, Sanad centres, postal companies, organisations involved in construction and contracting, insurance agencies, law offices, translation services, and shipping and customs clearance agencies.