MUSCAT — Oman on Friday lifted a two-week ban on movement between governorates imposed on July 25 a day earlier than originally planned over fears of a large tropical storm hitting the country. The move, which came into effect at 2 p.m. on Friday, was taken by the Sultanate's supreme committee tasked with dealing with coronavirus developments, according to Oman News Agency. The supreme committee headed by the country's Interior Minister Hamoud Al-Busaidi took the decision after reviewing reports on the weather condition over the Arabian Sea which is expected to affect some governorates of the Sultanate, and to facilitate the movement of citizens and residents, the ONA added. The lifting of the ban does not include the Dhofar governorate, ONA said. However, the changes in the nighttime curfew hours will only take place from Saturday until Aug. 15 On Friday, the curfew will be in force from 7 p.m. until 6 a.m and from Saturday it will begin at 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. daily, ONA added. On Wednesday, the supreme committee announced lifting the movement ban between Oman's governorates and reducing nighttime curfew hours, beginning Aug. 8 (Saturday). Meanwhile, a total of 354 new coronavirus cases were reported in Oman on Friday, bringing the total number of confirmed infections in the Kingdom to 81,067. Of the new cases, there were 289 Omani citizens and the remaining 65 were of expatriates from different countries, according to the country's Ministry of Health. The ministry also announced 10 more virus-related deaths, taking the total number of fatalities in the Sultanate to 502. A total of 1,353 more patients have completely recovered from the deadly disease, taking the total number of recoveries to 72,263, the ministry added.
