Thursday 12 / December / 2024
Muscat: The Supreme Committee has lifted all precautionary measures at public places and business outlets in a decision taken on Sunday.
Speaking exclusively to Times of Oman, a senior official from the Supreme Committee, said: “It can be confirmed that we are back to our normal life, after two years of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
He also clarified that we can now follow normal life by not wearing masks in closed and in open places.
This includes schools, colleges, universities, malls and halls of all kinds. “However, one can wear a mask if he wants,” he said.
He also clarified that it is possible to hold conferences, events and parties in various halls of all kinds, including birthday parties, marriages and engagements, or banquets and religious functions with 100 percent capacity without wearing masks or maintaining social distance.
He also said: “Even in mosques, social distancing and wearing of masks have been abolished, and now everyone including children less than 12 years can enter mosques, churches and temples.”
An official from the committee also confirmed that obtaining the third dose of vaccine is not necessary. “It is optional but I call on everyone, without exception, to take the booster dose for their safety.”
The Supreme Committee noted that data and statistics about cases of infection, patients admitted to hospital wards and intensive care units (ICUs) point to a gradual decline in the pandemic’s curve and, accordingly, decided the following:
First: All precautionary measures against COVID-19 in all public places and business outlets are deemed terminated.
Second: Members of the society are advised to espouse a “culture of health and protection” in all respects.
Third: In the event someone experiences fever or any morbid respiratory symptoms, he/she is advised to stay at home, avoid missing with others and wear a face mask when mingling with people.
Fourth: All individuals—particularly the old-aged, people suffering from chronic diseases or immunodeficiency—are urged to stick to wearing the face mask in closed areas.
Fifth: Citizens and residents are highly advised to take the booster dose of Covid-19.
The Supreme Committee tasked with tackling developments resulting from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has been following up updates on the disease and means of protection against the virus measures to curb its spread.
The Supreme Committee thanked citizens and residents in the Sultanate of Oman for their cooperation, as well as their adherence to procedures and precautionary measures.
It also lauds the ‘constructive role’ of government institutions and private establishments whose cooperation, the committee said, contributed to curbing the spread of the virus.
-With inputs from ONA
