Oman bans public gatherings, shuts currency exchange bureaus - GulfToday

Oman bans public gatherings, shuts currency exchange bureaus

  • 22 Mar 2020
Public-Sector-Bank

The photo is for illustrative purposes only.

Oman on Sunday banned public gatherings, limited staffing at state entities and shut currency exchange bureaus as part of measures to fight the coronavirus spread.

Authorities also asked the private sector to facilitate remote working and urged commercial businesses and individuals to limit cash transactions, state TV reported.

The sultanate has recorded the least infections, currently standing at 55, among the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council where the total number of cases of the virus has crossed 1,500 with three deaths.

The region has expanded measures to combat the spread of the disease, with Kuwait taking some of the most drastic steps including suspending international flights, as has Saudi Arabia.

Kuwait, which reported 12 more cases on Sunday to take its tally to 188, on Saturday imposed a partial curfew nationwide and extended a suspension of government and private institutions and businesses for two weeks.

Some supermarkets in Kuwait are allowing only 50 shoppers at a time and taking their temperature, a Reuters witness said.

In Saudi Arabia, the Defence Ministry has started deploying mobile hospitals, state news agency SPA reported. The kingdom has temporarily suspended work in the government sector and most of the private sector.

Reuters

Related articles

Apple temporarily shuts stores outside China to fight virus

The company has hundreds of retail stores worldwide, including 42 in China that closed or operated with reduced hours at the height of the country's outbreak.

14 Mar 2020

Iran calls on people to stay at home as death toll rises to 66

That’s according to Iran Health Ministry spokesman Ali Reza Azizi, who gave the figure at a news conference Monday in Tehran. Iran has the highest death toll from the virus outside of China, the epicenter of the outbreak.

02 Mar 2020

British passenger of virus-hit Japan cruise ship dies

Another five Japanese nationals died on the Diamond Princess cruise ship while more than 700 others on the vessel tested positive for the disease.


28 Feb 2020

Special flights to evacuate Iranian visitors from UAE

Authorities concerned affirmed that the UAE is cooperating with competent Iranian authorities to facilitate the operation as per operating systems and procedures and to ensure the safety of visitors and those responsible for the evacuation operations.

28 Feb 2020

Most Popular Stories

Other Articles

Sheikh Hamdan inaugurates landmark Dubai Reef sustainability initiative with launch of pilot modules

A sustainable initiative by Dubai Can, Dubai Reef is the world’s largest marine reef development project and marks a pioneering step in Dubai’s efforts to promote ecological sustainability.

27 minutes ago

UAE hospital SSMC’s doctors successfully remove 30.5kg rare ovarian tumour

The 63-year-old patient, a limousine driver, was recently admitted to SSMC via its Emergency Department (ED), suffering from severe abdominal pain.

an hour ago

Saudi father sends emotional letter to school after teachers mistakenly issue deceased son’s absence notice

Users of social media platforms circulated a copy of the letter written by Abdul Rahman Bin Ahmed Abu Saadiya to the officials of the Hakim Bin Hizam School in Qena, during which he told them about the death of his son and his request for them to pray for him.

an hour ago

Mohammed Bin Rashid meets with King of Bahrain, explores opportunities to boost bilateral relations

The two sides shared perspectives on strengthening Gulf cooperation, particularly in the light of current regional and international developments. The leaders underscored the importance of intensified coordination between GCC countries to ensure sustained development.

2 hours ago