Oman’s health minister has called for tougher action against people and businesses breaking coronavirus restrictions amid a “staggering” number of cases in the sultanate.
The country has declared more than 45,000 cases since the outbreak reached its shores in February, and 10 new deaths announced on Sunday take the total toll to 213.
As some prepare to return to the workplace after the government allowed some businesses to reopen in April, the Ministry of Manpower has said it will increase penalties on businesses that do not adhere to social distancing and other safety practices.
The Ministry of Health will conduct spot checks to ensure the measures are enforced.
“I call on all officials in all government units to alert everybody and to report those who do not comply with the measures, Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Saidi said.
“[The Ministry of Health] has formed health teams which will visit offices suddenly and take immediate action against those who fail to comply.”
Although businesses and the government have a duty to assist in the eradication of the virus, the minister appealed to the public to play their part.
“We don’t want to threaten bylaws. We want you to be the law,” he said in a speech on Thursday. “We want you to look after yourself and your family and our community.”
He also urged Omanis to report those flouting the rules to authorities.
Oman will start a 10-week nationwide survey, including citizens and residents, on July 12 to analyse the spread of the virus. Blood samples to detect antibodies will be part of the data collection, the Ministry of Health said on Twitter.
“The numbers in Oman are staggering, they are scary,” the minister said last week, after the country recorded its biggest weekly surge in cases.
“Failure to stick to health guidelines can cause the transfer of the infection to people having chronic diseases or elderly people, causing severe suffering or even death in some cases. There is a need for tougher action for those not abiding by the guidelines,” he said.
In March, Oman began to introduce lockdowns in regions including Muscat, Dhofar and Duqm, and in some tourist towns, but since April it has gradually allowed commercial centres to reopen and lifted the lockdown in the Muscat region, which includes the capital.
Mosques remain closed, as do land and sea borders into the country.
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Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
ABU DHABI ORDER OF PLAY
Starting at 10am:
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Donna Vekic (16) v Bernarda Pera
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Sanju
Produced: Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Rajkumar Hirani
Director: Rajkumar Hirani
Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal, Paresh Rawal, Anushka Sharma, Manish’s Koirala, Dia Mirza, Sonam Kapoor, Jim Sarbh, Boman Irani
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How to come clean about financial infidelity
- Be honest and transparent: It is always better to own up than be found out. Tell your partner everything they want to know. Show remorse. Inform them of the extent of the situation so they know what they are dealing with.
- Work on yourself: Be honest with yourself and your partner and figure out why you did it. Don’t be ashamed to ask for professional help.
- Give it time: Like any breach of trust, it requires time to rebuild. So be consistent, communicate often and be patient with your partner and yourself.
- Discuss your financial situation regularly: Ensure your spouse is involved in financial matters and decisions. Your ability to consistently follow through with what you say you are going to do when it comes to money can make all the difference in your partner’s willingness to trust you again.
- Work on a plan to resolve the problem together: If there is a lot of debt, for example, create a budget and financial plan together and ensure your partner is fully informed, involved and supported.
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
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One Mississippi, Wentworth and Transparent — double mastectomy
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