MUSCAT: The Supreme Committee members are addressing the media on Thursday to discuss the latest development of coronavirus outbreak including the details about the nationwide lockdown.

Who are attending the press conference :
1. His Excellency Dr. Ahmed Al Saidi, Minister of Health
2. His Excellency Dr. Ahmed Al Futaisi, Minister of Transport
3. His Excellency Eng. Ahmed Al Dheeb, Undersecretary of Ministry of Commerce and Industry
4. Brigadier Hassan Al Mujaini, Head of Moral Guidance
5. Brigadier Said Al Asmi, Director General of Operations, Royal Oman Police

Catch all live updates of the press conference here:

Minister of Health: The virus continues to spread rapidly.
Minister of Health: We took the decision to lockdown governorates due to rising number of cases.
Minister of Health: We don’t know when the education will resume and also we don’t know when the vaccine will be available.
Minister of Health: The number of hospitalized cases remains low, mortality is low and the health sector in the Sultanate remains vigilant.
Undersecretary of MOCI: Trucks with a load of 3 tons and carrying products such as milk , vegetables, and meats and fuel and cooking gas be allowed to cross through checkpoints from 7pm to 6am with permits.
Minister of Health: Number of Omanis infected with coronavirus reached 82%.
Undersecretary of MOCI: Factories can only operate during the day time and those to wants to operate 24 hours should obtain special permits from Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Minister of Transport: Residents can return to Oman after obtaining permission from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the airline or their affiliated institutions.
Minister of Transport: Workers from other governorates are not allowed to cross the checkpoints. Those within the governorates can go to workplaces.
Sultan’s Armed Forces: Total closure means closure of all crossing points in all governorates of the Sultanate.
Minister of Health: Those coming from outside the country must undergo 14 day quarantine and if he needs institutional isolation, he has to pay for the cost or through insurance. They should also wear the bracelet at all times.
Dr. Saif Al Abri: The youngest death recorded in Sultanate is of a 22 year old boy. We have to protect the children and not to let them expose to the infection, especially those who suffer from chronic diseases. 4583 children in age between one month to 14 years old have been infected with the virus.
Minister of Transport: Those who have flights after 7 pm during the lockdown and go to the airport by presenting flight tickets and passports.
Minister of Health: We have started steps to secure the vaccine for Oman when it is available.
Sultan’s Armed Forces: There are no exceptions to crossing through checkpoints and those who need to cross must produce permission letter with them.
Minister of Health: 4,600 people have been tested during the first stage of the National Survey for Covid-19.
Al Asmi: For expats who stayed outside the country for more than six months because of the airport closure will be allowed to return according to special permissions obtained from the concerned authorities.
Minister of Health: We hope to participate in the clinical trials of vaccines so that we have priority in purchasing them.
Dr. Saif Al Abri: 20,000 bracelet have been used to track the cases.
Minister of Health: PCR tests should not cost more than OMR 45 and antibody test should not be charged beyond OMR 14 in private hospitals.
Minister of Health: We hope everyone’s support during this lockdown and we hope we need not extend this after August 8.