Employees in Muscat return to their offices

Muscat: Many public and private sector employees in Muscat returned to their offices after the lockdown in the capital was lifted.
Locals and expats had been earlier asked to work from home, to stop the spread of COVID-19. However, following the decisions of the Supreme Committee to deal with coronavirus, 50 per cent of employees working in the city came back to their places of work.
The Wilayat of Muttrah, however, continues to remain under isolation, with a statement from the Supreme Committee saying: “The decision to lift the health lockdown across Muscat governorate does not include the Wilayat of Muttrah, which will remain under health isolation.”
“I am extremely happy with this news as this is going to help a lot of people move around easily, especially those who come to work from outside Muscat governorate,” said Jasim Al Balushi, deputy head of the Department of Professional Development and Humanities at the National University of Science and Technology. “Having said that, we need to make sure we adhere to the safety precautions while wearing masks to work, and maintain social distancing,” he added.
Agreeing with Al Balushi, Nataly Cazacova, an accountant based in Muscat, said that the news of lifting the lockdown came just in time to give motivation and inspiration to people who had been feeling down due to the outbreak of COVID-19.
“I think it was very important for society to hear something positive and have them feel inspired, motivated and have their spirits uplifted,” she said. “I am extremely excited about knowing that we will soon have the opportunity to get back to outdoor life."
“I know it is getting hot, but nevertheless, I have truly missed going to the beach, to wadis, to the mountains,” she added. “However, I know that the lifting of the lockdown is not complete at this point in time, but it shows that we are moving towards the end of this difficult time.”
According to the regulations put forth by the Supreme Committee, at least 50 per cent of employees in each company department need to return to work. Some employees will be allowed to maintain their annual leave entitlement, with the respective heads of departments taking decisions regarding the maintaining regular performance levels, while simultaneously taking the necessary precautions to stop further spread of the pandemic.