Wednesday 19 / February / 2025
Muscat: People in Oman were happy to return to beaches in the country to enjoy the fresh air and the sea, following orders by the Supreme Committee to deal with COVID-19 to reopen them to the public.
Although allowed to use the beaches again, visitors are only allowed to do so alone, while maintaining social distancing with others. Gatherings of two or more people are still prohibited. Furthermore, they are only allowed to use the beach to exercise.
“My friend and I visited the beach this weekend, but we made it a point to chat to each other while still maintaining a six feet distance between each other,” said Mehran, an Iranian expatriate in the country. “It was a bit cumbersome, but all things considered, a small sacrifice to pay to be back outdoors.”
“Running by the beach has been a morning routine of mine for many years,” added Emily, an Irish national who lives in Shatti Al Qurum. “This was something I really missed: of course, I could get in a run at the gym, but it simply does not have the same feeling. I am glad to feel the sea air on my face once again.”
Many in Oman advised those who intend to take advantage of the rules to their own benefit, and try to get away with breaking them, to not do so, lest the regulations that were recently loosened to provide some convenience to people be tightened again.
The reopening of beaches aside, people can collect takeaway meals and beverages from restaurants after 8pm, while they were previously only allowed to organise home delivery services, as part of the measures enacted to stop the spread of the pandemic.
“The Supreme Committee understands that we also need to go out once in a while for our own mental and physical well being,” said Jumaa Al Harthy, an Omani national. “We are all appreciative for their efforts, and I would ask people to not misuse the provisions given to us, or all of us will end up paying for the deeds of a few.”
