Oman's largest governorate enters partial lockdown as coronavirus cases spiral

Oman’s Supreme Committee, which was created to respond to the pandemic, said the curfew is expected to reduce the number of Covid-19 cases and will serve as a safety measure to protect residents from contracting the deadly disease.

Dhofar is the largest out of Oman's eleven governorates.

This comes days after the Sultanate announcing a nationwide night-time lockdown throughout the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

The Supreme Council banned all forms of gatherings, including at mosques, tents, restaurants or popular public places during Ramadan between the hours of from 9pm until 4am.

Read also: Turkey imposes partial lockdown for first half of Ramadan as Covid-19 cases surge

The hours between iftar, the time of the fast's end, and suhoor, the pre-dawn meal, are often used as hours for socialising in many Muslim-majority countries during Ramadan.

The new measures came after Oman declared that it is running out of resources to deal with the coronavirus pandemic, with just 14 beds left for patients in intensive care units (ICU).

On Monday, Times of Oman reported that 96 percent of all ICU beds are taken by Covid-19 patients.

The increase in virus cases has forced all hospitals to postpone essential and non-essential surgical procedures, the report added.

Oman has confirmed a total of 176,668 coronavirus cases, including 156,845 recoveries and 1,821 deaths. 

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