Outdoor recreation remains a far cry
MUSCAT: As summer peaks, in normal circumstances, demand for outdoor recreation skyrockets with people crowding at beaches, parks, and other public places. But chances for a carefree summer evening...
Civic staff donate blood plasma
MUSCAT: As many as 33 employees in the Muscat Municipality donated blood plasma to help current Covid-19 patients. The humanitarian gesture followed appeals from the Department of Blood Bank Services...
Learn to live with the virus
Preparing for a new way of life to live with the coronavirus is the emerging call from our authorities and medical experts. With no signs of tapering off of the spread of the pathogen in sight, social...
No avenues to cool off this summer
Ban on ownership of land by non-Omanis in some places
Muscat: Non-Omanis have been banned from owning land and real estate in some places in the Sultanate. Regulations in this regard was issued by Sheikh Saif bin Muhammad bin Saif al Shabibi, Minister...
Tenants struggle to pay rent
MUSCAT: Even as the authorities have eased the lockdown measures, a growing chorus of voices in Muscat --from both commercial and residential -- is the non-availability of funds to pay rents. Due to...
Time for science, not numbers
Muscat: Ever since the World Health Organisation named the coronavirus as Covid-19 and later declared it as a global pandemic, the media across the world have made its coverage a top priority. The...
Abandoned cars could be a hazard as expats leave
MUSCAT: A time that more abandoned cars finding their space in public or private parking lots is not far away. With the sudden and unexpected departure of the expat workforce warranted by the...
Back to work with caution
MUSCAT: As the Supreme Committee allowed both the public and private sectors to host 50 per cent white-collar workforce, offices in the Sultanate opened on Sunday with stringent measures in...
Oman heads back to work tomorrow
MUSCAT: It is back to work tomorrow for the people of Oman with the lifting of the coronavirus lockdown. Except for the willayat of Muttrah, which is still in lockdown, life in most parts of the...
An unforgivable behaviour
It is saddening, rather horrifying to see the reckless and selfish behaviour of some people who break the laws and guidelines issued by the authorities to combat the coronavirus pandemic. Even...
Need for rental pacts at checkpoints too
MUSCAT: Tenancy agreement assumes importance with the denial of entry at checkpoints to people who failed to prove their place of residence amid coronavirus lockdown. Several people who were eligible...
People welcome stern steps
Muscat: While the Royal Oman Police have started pulling up people for not wearing masks, citizens and expatiates have welcomed the new measures, mainly fines, announced by the government to stem the...
Farther but closer than ever for Eid celebration
MUSCAT: The Eid-al-Fitr experience this time will be like never before with more people being able to connect face-to-face thanks to a wide range of apps. With people confined to their homes and...
Together we survive
A physician in the US treating COVID-19 developed sleeplessness not because she was witness to so many people succumbing to the virus. Perhaps, the trauma of the bereaved families could have led her...
Mental support key to ease coronavirus impact
MUSCAT: As the whole world grapples with COVID-19, people are under intense strain and stress. Experts warn that mental illnesses may grow into epidemic proportions due to job loss and economic...
COVID-19 lockdown limits food waste
Muscat: The oft-repeated outcry of excess food and its waste is almost nil this Ramadhan due to the COVID-19 restrictions on iftar gatherings and buffets at hotels. Authorities and hoteliers admit...
Eid buzz missing but cheer alive
Muscat: With the extended stay-at-home order continues, the celebrations marking the culmination of Ramdhan will be a low-key affair this year. Owing to the coronavirus pandemic, mosques are closed,...
Rules will help us to enjoy life
Rules make people aware of the behavior they need to follow at the places where they are. But many of us do not comply with the rules despite the fact that life cannot be in order without them as they...
Selling sterilizers without quality standards to attract fine
Muscat: The Public Authority for Consumer Protection (PACP) has prohibited sale of sterilizers that fail to have standard contents to protect people in accordance with Oman’s Infectious Diseases...