Efforts of public and private sector establishments and individuals in the Omani society rallied together to battle the coronavirus pandemic in a bid to achieve the overall Royal objectives of keeping the Sultanate secure and clear of Covid-19.

As soon as precautionary measures were announced by the Supreme Covid-19 Committee, a countrywide campaign began to yield fruits in containing the pandemic, which impacts public and personal life of citizens and residents alike. The splendid response was the talk of media, and Oman News Agency (ONA) hereby shares a symbolic section of this moment of public unity sensed in all governorates of the Sultanate.

In the Wilayat of A’Seeb, Governorate of Muscat, Sheikh Mansoor bin Harith al-Amri, Member of the State Council, hailed the virus control measures as ‘tangible’ and ‘practical’ in serving the interests of citizens and residents in the whole country.

Qassim bin Marhoon al-Amri, Member of Majlis A’Shura, A’Seeb, also commended the efforts of the Supreme Committee which, he said, laid down clear-cut guidelines to secure the health and safety of all citizens and residents.

Mohammed bin Hilal al-Siyabi, an inhabitant of the Wilayat of A’Seeb, expressed his deep satisfaction with the Supreme Committee’s management of the crisis, both by neutralizing rumours and intensifying public awareness, which is a major factor in winning the war against the dangerous, unpredictable disease.

In the Wilayat of Sur, Governorate of South A’Sharqiyah, government establishments concerned sprang to action through the application of preventive and curative measures, as well as the formation of teams of volunteers. 

Also, ardent to participate in this public campaign, private sector establishments lent financial and logistic support to the anti-virus drive operators. The public campaign brandished the slogan “Let’s Be Bastions of Oman” all over social networks.

In the Wilayat of Nizwa, Governorate of A’Dakhiliyah, Hamdan bin Nasser al-Rumaidhi, Member of Majlis A’Shura, told ONA that the decisions and directives of the Supreme Covid-19 Control Committee were clear, firm and necessary to contain the virus.

All parties participated in the success of the whole national anti-pandemic campaign, said al-Rumaidhi, adding that this can be construed from the abundance of foodstuff and consumer items offered to members of the public at affordable prices.

Ahmed bin Nasser al-Abri, member of Majlis A’Shura, Head of Nizwa Charity Team, lauded the public and popular response to directives to curb the proliferation of the virus. He pointed out that his charity team, besides spreading public awareness, took keen interest in supporting needy families in the region.

Meanwhile, Jumaa bin Abdullah al-Jabri, owner of a vegetable and fruit shop, said that the sale of foodstuff is in full swing, thanks to regular supply from the central market in Nizwa.

In the Wilayat of Sohar, Governorate of North Al Batinah, government and private sector establishments joined hands to implement and follow up the execution of directives of Supreme Covid-19 Committee, notably Stay-at-Home decisions, mainly by ensuring plentiful flow of foodstuff and consumer requirements and other services rendered to citizens and residents alike.

‏‎In this context, Sheikh Ali bin Ahmed al-Shamsi, Wali of Sohar, Head of the wilayat's Social Development Committee, said that two teams of volunteers operating under the purview of the committee launched campaigns to meet the requirements of needy families and small entrepreneurs directly hit by the pandemic.

In the Governorate of A’Dhahirah, a member of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) in Ibri, Saif bin Said al-Badi, said that the OCCI sought exemption-from-closure for certain outlets whose activities are of significance to consumers provided that outlets met the prescribed health and safety requirements.

OCCI’s member in the Wilayat of Ibri added that owners of commercial centres and landlords have been instructed to consider the conditions of tenants of shops impacted by measures to stem coronavirus pandemic, either by waiving, discounting or postponing the rents. ONA