Total lockdown extended until Saturday morning

MUSCAT: Total lockdown in Oman will now begin on Tuesday, July 20, the first day of Eid Al Adha, and remain in effect until 4 am on Saturday, July 24, as per orders issued by the Supreme Committee for dealing with COVID-19.

During this period, the movement of people outside their homes is prohibited, whether on foot or in vehicles. Following the end of this total lockdown, people and businesses will need to follow the revised timings of the ongoing movement ban at night, from 5 pm to 4 am, until July 31.

The travel ban issued on passengers flying in from Brunei Darussalam and Singapore will also be lifted, effective from 5 pm on Monday, July 19.

Certain individuals are allowed to travel during the lockdown hours, however. Healthcare workers, emergency services personnel, and vehicles that offer electricity and water transport and maintenance services are allowed to ply the roads. Workers in private hospitals and pharmacies authorised by the Ministry of Health to stay open at night are also allowed to venture outside their homes, for work.

Those who have appointments at the country’s ports and airports can also travel to their destination. The same goes for workers in factories and those involved in loading and unloading goods from factories and warehouses, although they are not allowed to exit the premises of their place of work.

Some fuel stations will also stay open, as approved by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and Investment Promotion (MoCIIP), in consultation with the relevant companies.

Workers who need to get to oil and gas fields will also be permitted to move about at night, as will employees in private and public media houses. The latter will be provided a pass from the Ministry of Information that permits them to travel during the movement ban.