Night closure: OMR 300 fine for commercial activities violating Supreme Committee decisions

Oman Sunday 07/March/2021 06:00 AM
By: Times News Service
Night closure: OMR 300 fine for commercial activities violating Supreme Committee decisions
Photo: Shabin E
Muscat: Business owners caught breaking the night time closure rules that are currently in effect will be slapped with a fine of OMR300, in addition to closing their stores.

Repeat offenders, according to Muscat Municipality, must fork out OMR1,000, as well as lose their operating licence.

To stop the spread of the coronavirus in the Sultanate, the Supreme Committee has ordered the closure of all commercial activities in the country from 8 pm to 5 am.

The decision came into effect on Thursday, March 4, and will last until Saturday, March 20. Petrol stations, hospitals and clinics, and pharmacies are excluded from these regulations.

“Anyone found violating these provisions issued by the Supreme Committee will be fined OMR300, as well as a closure of the activity in which they are involved,” said an official from the municipality.

“If people are found repeating these violations, they will be fined OMR1,000, and will have their licences revoked.”

“Citizens and residents must report any violations seen by shopkeepers, should they be found to not comply with the decisions of the Supreme Committee,” he added.

“If they have spotted a violation, and wish to report this, they are welcome to call the Supreme Committee, as well as the call centre for Muscat Municipality, which can be reached by dialing 1111.”

Surveillance teams from municipal organisations will monitor the capital to make sure that all market places and businesses that are to cease operations at 8 pm do so. Punishments to those who do not follow these regulations will be meted out in collaboration with the Royal Oman Police (ROP) and Public Prosecution.

The decisions taken by the Supreme Committee also ban restaurants and cafes from serving food to customers after 8 pm. This includes providing takeaway or delivery services, once they have been shuttered for the day.

People are, however, still free to move about while observing the precautions required to limit the spread of COVID-19, as there is no movement ban against vehicles and individuals.