Dhofar sees an influx of tourists, lockdown reports refuted

Muscat: The authorities have denied reports that the Dhofar and Masirah Governorates will be closed until further notice.

They were responding to an image from July 2020 circulated in social media, which said the Dhofar governorate will be in full lockdown until further notice.

Meanwhile, with Salalah witnessing temperatures in the twenties, tourists from the northern parts of Oman have been flocking to the city to enjoy the Khareef season.

As the city has been witnessing an influx of tourists, hotels, and hotel apartments are seeing a big surge in the demand this year, compared to the 2020 Khareef that was completely washed out in full lockdowns.

Our writer in Salalah told the Observer that all main roads and junctions in the city bustling with traffic until 10 pm. 'All vaccinated people are allowed to enter the city and generally people are following the precautionary measures imposed by the Supreme Committee. But still, there is this fear of the number of daily infections going up in the coming weeks.'

Oman Meteorology has reported the spread of clouds over parts of Al Wusta and Dhofar with the activity of Khareef clouds (fog and low clouds) and mist fall on the coasts and mountains of Dhofar Governorate. Temperatures in Salalah, Salalah, Sadah, Taqah, and Mirbat are expected to be 25 Degrees Celsius.

The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism (MHT), represented by the Directorate General of Heritage and Tourism in the Governorate of Dhofar, had recently issued a violation against a hotel for not complying with the decisions of the Supreme Committee.

The ministry stressed all hotel and tourist establishments must follow precautionary measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19 to avoid legal liability. The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism has issued fresh guidelines for hotels and tourism establishments.

The use of hotel facilities is limited to in-house guests during the ban period.

Hotel establishments must adhere to preventive measures and not exceed 50 percent of their capacity.

Employees working in hotel establishments can obtain permits from their workplace to pass during the closure period.

Hotel and tourism establishments located in the Governorate of Dhofar must adhere to the preventive measures and not exceed 50 percent of their room occupancy.