Oman announces new Covid-19 lockdown for Eid Al-Fitr

Oman has announced a new lockdown in the sultanate to coincide with the Eid Al-Fitr holiday, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

Authorities announced that all commercial activities - except grocery stores, pharmacies, and petrol stations - must cease activities between 8 and 15 May, according to Oman Observer.

There will be restrictions in place on the movement of people and vehicles between 7pm and 4am during these days, the Supreme Committee for Combating Coronavirus announced.

— The New Arab (@The_NewArab) April 19, 2021" style="color:#fff;" class="twitter-post-link" target="_blank">Twitter Post Oman's Dhofar governorate has entered a partial lockdown in response to a rise in Covid-19 cases https://t.co/oRfVtMQnVc — The New Arab (@The_NewArab) April 19, 2021

All gatherings in public and private places will also be prohibited, according to government reports.

The new lockdown coincides with Eid Al-Fitr, a festival that traditionally sees families gather to enjoy meals to mark the end of Ramadan.

Omani authorities have said that Eid gatherings, markets, and prayers will be banned, in a bid to stop the spread of Covid-19.

There has been a massive rise in infections in the sultanate over the past month, with 97 percent increase in new cases between April and May, according to Oman's health ministry.

Oman has banned medical workers from resigning in a bid to cope with the health crisis.

Public and private sector employees have also been encouraged to work from home from 9 to 11 May to stop the spread of the disease.

Oman announced on Monday that the Eid Al-Fitr holidays will take place between 13 and 15 May.

Oman's Dhofar governorate began a partial lockdown to take place between 6pm to 5am in April, citing a "dangerous" rise in coronavirus cases.


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