Tourist boats with diving permits can now operate at 70 per cent of capacity

Muscat: Tourist boats holding diving permits and operating in Oman are required to operate at 70 per cent of their total personnel capacity, according to the directives issued by the Environment Authority (EA) to resume leisure activities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a statement, the EA said, “Clubs and individuals who have obtained diving permits from the authority must adhere to the following precautions, in addition to the preventive measures from the Ministry of Health.

“The number of people on board a big yacht, excursion boat and cruise ship should not exceed 70 per cent of the rated capacity, including crew members,” added the authority. “In public places and at moorings, users should wear face masks, maintain physical distance and avoid gatherings. Mooring departments shall provide hand sanitisers in public places.”

The steps from the Environment Authority were issued following the decisions from the Supreme Committee to deal with COVID-19, and are based on the maritime regulation circular issued by the Directorate General of Maritime Affairs at the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, to the management teams at marinas, and the owners of tourist boats and pleasure craft.

The Ministry of Health has also issued advice, in association with UNICEF, on ensuring proper hand hygiene for children when they step onto boats, as well as other areas, as part of its efforts to spread awareness on COVID-19. “Promote healthy behaviour in children to prevent them from infection to prevent them from infection,” said the advisory. “Make their practice conscious and enjoyable.”

The ministry also asked for parents to make their children aware of the importance of hand hygiene, and to provide them a special hand-washing area and give them a soap that they liked, so that they would take more interest in following hand hygiene. “Give them a leadership role by reminding them of the importance of, and when to wash hands,” added the Ministry of Health and UNICEF. “Share hand-washing time with them to confirm with them the correct way to wash them.”