As part of its ongoing convening, the Supreme Committee tasked with tackling developments resulting from the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic followed up with recent updates on the pandemic and reviewed means of protection against the disease and ways to curb the spread of the virus.

As per the latest study of the epidemiological situation in the local front and international arena, the Supreme Committee noted a decline in cases of infection and hospitalisation in the Sultanate at a time the rates of COVID-19 infections are picking up again in some countries.

As the pandemic persists worldwide upon the approach of the Holy Month of Ramadan and, in realisation of Islam’s edicts calling for safeguarding human life to maintain the gains made over the past period, the Supreme Committee took the following decisions which, it said, have to be endorsed throughout the Holy Month:

First: Attendance at Taraweeh congregational prays has to be exclusively limited to worshippers who received two-dose vaccination against COVID-19. Unvaccinated people, including children aged below 12 years, are prohibited to enter the mosques during the said period.

Second: Mass gatherings for charity breakfast meals (Iftar Sa’im) continue to be banned in mosques and other public places, including tents and public assembly halls. Charity teams and private establishments concerned, including civil society institutions, may distribute the meals to target beneficiaries, but without organising gatherings.

Third: All members of the public have to continue observing precautionary protective measures, including wearing face masks and maintaining physical distance in closed areas, including mosques.

COVID-19 Supreme Committee also underscores the need to continue the operation of collective activity venues – like halls, conference places, local and international exhibitions and other mass activity areas – to a maximum of 70 per cent capacity of the said venues.

In the meantime, the committee urged all those who feel any symptoms of COVID-19 infection to avoid attending congregational prayers or entering public gathering areas, to help protect themselves and their society.

The panel also advised Omani citizens and residents in Oman to take the Covid-19 booster dose as soon as possible, notably, those whose second dose vaccination lasted more than 6 months. It added that the booster dose would bolster individual and communal immunity.