Businessmen thank frontline workers in Oman for their dedication

Oman Tuesday 25/May/2021 21:27 PM
By: Times News Service
Businessmen thank  frontline workers in Oman for their dedication
From discounts on meals and hotel stays to priority in shop queues, thankfulness takes diverse forms.

Muscat: Hotels, restaurants, and supermarkets in Oman are doing their bit to thank frontline workers for the care and dedication they have shown to COVID patients during the pandemic.

From discounts on meals and hotel stays to priority in shop queues, companies are trying to ease the toll that the coronavirus pandemic has taken on doctors, nurses, paramedics, and other healthcare workers in the country.

“Our frontline workers are tirelessly and selflessly working to keep COVID patients alive during these very challenging times,” said Arup Singh Deo, director of operations and projects at Al Nahda Hotels and Resort. “We are offering them discounts during their stay with us, as it is our way of saying thank you for doing their bit to stop the spread of the pandemic.

“Conditions for many of us now are challenging, and we look forward to welcoming guests who wish to take a break with us,” he added. “At Al Nahda Hotels and Resorts, we make sure the most up to date COVID screening protocols are in place to ensure the safety of our guests and staff.

“All entrants to our properties have their temperature checked, a thorough deep cleaning of all rooms is conducted to make sure they are safe, and all common areas are sanitised,” said Deo.

For just OMR35 a night, these guests can enjoy a hotel stay at Al Nahda, while up in the mountains of Jabal Akhdar, they can check into the Sahab Resort for OMR50. Both deals come with a free breakfast, and guests can also enjoy a late checkout of 3 pm. The special rates also apply to senior citizens and those in education.

A restaurant owner in the country also said he had instructed his staff to offer discounts to healthcare workers who chose to dine in or order takeaway from his eateries. “It is the least we can do to help them during these trying times,” he said.

“Think of them not just as doctors or nurses or technicians who are out there saving lives, but also as parents, as brothers, as sisters, as sons and daughters. They have put their lives on hold because of the pandemic, and have dedicated everything to stopping its spread.

“To those who are still reluctant to do so, please remember to mask up, sanitise yourselves, maintain social distancing, and avoid assembling in large numbers to reduce the spread of COVID-19, and the burden on these healthcare workers,” he added.

In other countries, a number of companies have introduced offers to thank the efforts of doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers during the pandemic.

The Canadian Nurses Association, for example, has teamed up with companies to offer nurses discounts and freebies across over 150 brands, including Starbucks, McDonalds, Nando’s, Chevrolet, and Cadillac.

Discounted and free meals and hotel stays, reduced membership rates, free food delivered to hospitals, and cut-price costs on skincare services and automobile check-ups are just some of the benefits available to them during the pandemic.

In the US, healthcare workers can apply for discounts as high as 40 per cent while buying from brands such as Adidas, Asics, Clarks, Lenovo, LL Bean, Levi’s, Samsung, and Under Armour.

Over in the UK, from discounted and free meals, to reduced prices at supermarkets, to complementary automobile maintenance and even oven cleaning services, several companies have joined hands to ease the burden faced by healthcare workers.