MUSCAT: Indian businessman Mohammed Ismail has three commercial shops in Oman. His two mobile shops in Ruwi High Street and a restaurant in Al Khoud have been bringing good business for the last 25 years. But his life took a U-turn on a Monday afternoon on March 23, 2020 when the government ordered to shutter all commercial shops in the country to prevent the spread of coronavirus pandemic.

“That severely hit me. I wake up every day thinking how I am going to manage my life from hereon. I don’t know how I am going to pay my rents and meet my expenses in the coming months, as no one knows when this is going to end,” Ismail said speaking to The Arabian Stories.

“For the last 25 years I have been living happily here with my family. All my three shops were bringing good money. I never expected this (COVID-19) will hit Oman. Now me and my family are on a self-quarantine. Our shops in Ruwi High Street are closed, my restaurant is still functioning but without much business,” he said.

My company told me last week to stay at home till the situation improves because there is no business and they said I won’t be paid till such time

Rahul Gopalakrishnan, Marketing Executive

According to the regulations set by the Supreme Committee, restaurants can be opened but with take-away service only. “These days my staff desperately waits for a car horn so that they can step out and receive the orders,” Ismail said.

Workers and businesses across the country are in similarly dire straits as the public is practicing social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and follow recommendations—and in some cases orders— to stay home. This has forced many companies to deduct the salary of employees. Some companies have gone to the extent of sending their employees on an “unpaid leave”.

Unpaid leave for an indefinite period
“My company told me last week to stay at home till the situation improves because there is no business and they said I won’t be paid till such time. I have my family here. How will I take care of them? How will I pay my house rent?” asked Rahul Gopakrishnan, a marketing executive in Muscat.

Last week, Ministry of Manpower met officials of 25 companies that deducted salary of employees. “Most of them have agreed to revoke their decision,” said a senior official at the Ministry.

“My company said they will be cutting 25% of our monthly salary we have no choice than to agree. It is better than losing the job,” said Mohammed Jamil, a Pakistani marketing executive who works with a building materials company in Muscat.

While the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) has urged landlords to extend a helping hand to business owners, only few have accepted the request. “I spoke to the landlord of my shops in Ruwi to give me three month rent relief but he said even they need to survive. So, I am now worried how I will manage the rents and staff salaries without any business as my shops are closed,” said Ismail.

“I understand the importance of the measures to curb coronavirus. Coronavirus is dangerous and we need to protect ourselves but I can’t help but think how I will protect my family and employees if this continues for weeks. I hope the government will ask the landlords to give us a break for three months at least and that will be relief,” Ismail said.  

Uncertain future
The coronavirus pandemic has created an alarming situation across the world. The deadly virus has infected over a million people and killed more than 50,000 globally. The governments across the world have imposed nationwide lockdowns to contain the spread of this highly contagious virus and Oman is no exception. The Sultanate on Saturday reported 25 new cases, as the total number of positive cases in the country rose to 277, including one death. According to the figures, there has been a spike of cases in the last three days.

Like Ismail, hundreds of businessmen are facing the heat and an uncertain future due to the coronavirus. “I really hope the world will find the vaccine to this else every one of us will be in deep crisis,” added Gopalakrishnan holding on to slim hope.