Table 1.
Timeline for preparation phases and non-pharmaceutical intervention taken in the sultanate to prevent and contain the COVID-19 outbreak.
| Time frame | Non-pharmaceutical interventions | |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1: Preparatory phase | Mid-February to mid-March | Recommendation to avoid travelling to China unless absolutely necessary |
| Suspension of flights to and from China | ||
| Quarantine on arrivals from China | ||
| Quarantine application on arrivals from Singapore, South Korea, Japan, and Iran (February 2) | ||
| Suspension of flights from Iran | ||
| Avoidance of travel to the above countries | ||
| Suspension of flights to and from Italy | ||
| Quarantine on arrivals from Italy | ||
| Quarantine on arrivals from Egypt | ||
| Formation of the supreme committee (March 10) | ||
| Phase 2: Major public health control phase | Starting from mid-March to mid-April | Closure of schools and higher education institutions |
| Closure of port of entries (airports, seaports, and ground crossings) | ||
| Suspension of all public transport | ||
| Closure of mosques and all non-Muslim places of worship | ||
| Closure of all movie theatres | ||
| Prohibition of public gatherings and conferences | ||
| Closure of all stores in shopping malls, with the exception of food and consumer catering shops, clinics, pharmacies, and optical stores | ||
| Closure of traditional markets, such as Mutrah, Nizwa, Rustaq, and Sinaw, and closure of popular markets, such as Wednesday markets, Thursday markets, and Friday markets | ||
| Prohibition of the provision of food in restaurants and cafes, including those in hotels, with the exception of external requests | ||
| Suspension of sports activities of all kinds, and closure of sports and cultural clubs | ||
| Closure of gyms and health clubs, and men’s and women’s barbers/hairdressers and beauty shops | ||
| Reduction of the number of employees in workplaces in government agencies to no more than 30% of the total number of employees | ||
| Closure of all exchange shops, provided that the banks provide exchange services, | ||
| Return of all overseas students (March 23) | ||
| Activation of the role of the military and security services in reducing the movement of residents and citizens | ||
| Isolation of the Governorate of Muscat until April 1 | ||
| Closure of Muscat and Mutrah (April 10) | ||
| Closure of Jaalan Bani Bu Ali (April 16) | ||
| Phase 3: Gradual easing up | From mid-April to end of May | Expanded opening of some activities in grades (April 22 and May 18) |
| Allowing 50% of governmental employees to return to work (May 31) | ||
| Opening of Muscat governorate (May 29) |