Oman bans commercial activity from May 8 to 15 

Oman bans commercial activity from May 8 to 15 

LONDON: Oman will ban the movement of people and vehicles from 7 p. m. to 4 a. m. from May 8 until May 15, the state news agency said on Sunday, citing the Supreme Committee for Combating Coronavirus. Oman will also ban commercial activity all day during the same period, except for food stores, gas stations, health institutions and pharmacies. Home delivery services for all goods are also exempt. The decision came following a supreme committee meeting chaired by Minister of Interior Hammoud bin Faisal Al-Busaidi on developments in the pandemic. The sultanate also said government employees will work from home from May 9 until May 11, and urged private sector companies to implement business continuity plans by working remotely and downsizing the number of employees who are required to come to the workplace. The supreme committee also instructed people to not hold Eid prayers and traditional markets, and banned all kinds of gatherings and celebrations in various locations, including beaches, parks and public gardens, during Eid Al-Fitr. Eid Al-Fitr, also called the "Festival of Breaking the Fast" or Lesser Eid, is celebrated by Muslims around the world to mark the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. This year,