Oman reported a big rise in daily coronavirus cases on Sunday with 1,722 infections and 28 deaths from the virus recorded in the previous 72 hours.
The sultanate’s tally now stands at 93,475 cases and 846 deaths, while 85,418 people have recovered. A total of 554 people are in hospital, including 64 admitted in the previous 24 hours, and 172 were in intensive care, Oman’s health ministry said on Sunday.
Oman’s infections dropped to just under 200 cases a day in the first week of September. Despite the recent increase in infections, most people no longer consider the pandemic a threat, the health ministry said.
“It is important that everyone understands Covid-19 is still here. Everybody must still follow the basic regulations and stay safe all the time. It is the effort of everyone in the country and not just a few people, to stay alert all the time,” a statement from the ministry said.
But ordinary people on the streets blame the ministry for “relaxing” the rules as the reason behind the latest spike in infections.
“There is no point enforcing it while they open up mall and restaurants. This is the reason why most people do not take the virus seriously anymore. In addition, schools will be opened in November and the airport will start to operate next month,” said Fareed Al Alawi, 37, a chemical engineer based in the capital, Muscat.
The government has said Muscat airport will start operating flights from October 1. The national airline, Oman Air, said it will start flying to 12 destinations in the first phase then gradually expand to include more destinations.
Salam Air, Oman’s second airline, will also start flying to limited destinations that day. The Civil Aviation Authority said foreign airlines operating in Oman will be allowed to fly from Muscat twice a week.
With the latest spike in cases, the authorities will enforce the closure of shops and restaurants that breach the pandemic rules.
Authorities fined more than 25 businesses in the past week and cautioned many other for breaking the rules. Authorities also fined shoppers in malls for failing to follow social distancing rules. Some vendors were fined for not wearing masks.
Health inspectors visited more than 500 business premises in the past week to make sure shop assistants and their managers were following the Covid-19 regulations.
Businessmen said the government should not be blamed for allowing malls and restaurants to open.
“Those critics who blame authorities for opening up too fast are wrong. We have to defend the fact that the economy needs to restart,” Salim Al Dugheishi, 52, a computer supplier in Muscat, said.
“The rise of infections is not caused by the opening up of businesses but people who ignore the social distancing rules or gather around in groups without wearing masks.”
Unresolved crisis
Russia and Ukraine have been locked in a bitter conflict since 2014, when Ukraine’s Kremlin-friendly president was ousted, Moscow annexed Crimea and then backed a separatist insurgency in the east.
Fighting between the Russia-backed rebels and Ukrainian forces has killed more than 14,000 people. In 2015, France and Germany helped broker a peace deal, known as the Minsk agreements, that ended large-scale hostilities but failed to bring a political settlement of the conflict.
The Kremlin has repeatedly accused Kiev of sabotaging the deal, and Ukrainian officials in recent weeks said that implementing it in full would hurt Ukraine.
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%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Agreements%20on%20energy%20and%20water%20supply%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Applied%20service%20fees%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Customer%20data%20and%20information%20privacy%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Prohibition%20of%20service%20disconnections%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Customer%20complaint%20process%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Management%20of%20debts%20and%20customers%20in%20default%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Services%20provided%20to%20people%20of%20determination%20and%20home%20care%20customers%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies direct from Dubai to Rio de Janeiro from Dh7,000 return including taxes. Avianca fliles from Rio to Cusco via Lima from $399 (Dhxx) return including taxes.
The trip
From US$1,830 per deluxe cabin, twin share, for the one-night Spirit of the Water itinerary and US$4,630 per deluxe cabin for the Peruvian Highlands itinerary, inclusive of meals, and beverages. Surcharges apply for some excursions.
The specs: 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE
Price, base / as tested Dh274,000 (estimate)
Engine 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder
Gearbox Nine-speed automatic
Power 245hp @ 4,200rpm
Torque 500Nm @ 1,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined 6.4L / 100km
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
LIVERPOOL SQUAD
Alisson Becker, Virgil van Dijk, Georginio Wijnaldum, James Milner, Naby Keita, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, Joe Gomez, Adrian, Jordan Henderson, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Adam Lallana, Andy Lonergan, Xherdan Shaqiri, Andy Robertson, Divock Origi, Curtis Jones, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Neco Williams
Who has been sanctioned?
Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.
Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.
Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.
