Oman: New guidelines for business operations to resume
Food courts, cinema halls, spas, massage centres and marriage halls are among the new set of commercial operations that have been given the nod to resume activities.
However, there are certain mandatory conditions that operators have to comply with. Cinema Halls can operate only with 50 per cent capacity. Most of the movie halls in Oman are screen English and Arabic movies, as Indian movies have not been released in theatres due to the raging pandemic.
Horizontal distancing is to be ensured by keeping two seats empty after every occupied seat. Vertical distancing is to be ensured by keeping one now empty after a seated row.
Social distancing stickers ensuring boundaries between people have been made mandatory in cinema halls, as are masks for visitors and staff. Self-service touchscreen points have also been asked to be deactivated.
Resumption of wedding hall operations resulted in many banquet halls in major hotels getting booked starting from this weekend. Only 50 guests can be accommodated for events and functions.
Food courts in commercial complexes, including malls, also have a restriction of 50 per cent of the normal capacity in their outlets’ seating. The outlets have also been advised not to allow more than two, or four at the most per table, and also to have adequate personnel to clean, disinfect and sanitise the tables and chairs after every use. Use of disposables wares is mandatory, as are provisions of alcohol-based sanitisers for use by customers.
Among the many compulsory measures that have been shared with beauty salons and spas that offer massage therapy is the use of disposable PPEs that should be thrown away after a single-use. Same massage oil should not be used for more than one customer and hot stone and bamboo massage are not allowed at any time. Wearing of masks by therapists and customers is also compulsory.
