MUSCAT – What many initially dismissed as a temporary technical failure has been officially linked to tightened regulatory enforcement targeting delivery riders’ visa and licensing compliance.

The visible impact of this regulatory measure is the ominous ‘closed’ status plastered across nearly all restaurant and café options on delivery applications, effectively stopping daily meal choices for thousands of consumers and severing a vital sales channel for F&B establishments.

What began as a seemingly routine outage has now evolved into a significant challenge for small cafés, casual dining restaurants, and fast-food outlets that depend on digital platforms for a substantial share of their daily revenue. At the same time, many residents — particularly working professionals and single households — have found their daily meal routines upended, highlighting the extent to which food delivery has become an integral part of urban life in Muscat.

For consumers – particularly office workers, single folks, and those who rely on ready meals – the disruption has eliminated a crucial daily convenience. One regular user of delivery apps shared: “Although I am not completely dependent on food delivery services, the ‘closed’ notification across most of my favourite outlets has disrupted my weekly routines. With long working hours, I find it difficult to dine out or collect my meals in person.”

Restaurant owners have reported a sharp decline in sales, with one popular vegetarian restaurant noting a 40 percent reduction in takeaway orders over the past week. Many establishments say the prolonged disruption has also affected staffing, inventory management, and overall business planning.

The disruption coincides with recent regulatory measures introduced by the Ministry of Labour. In August this year, the Ministry announced that it would suspend the issuance and renewal of work permits for the professions of food delivery representative and delivery supervisor, unless applicants hold a professional licence issued by the Logistics Sector Skills Unit.

The Ministry stated that this step forms part of its ongoing efforts to regulate the labour market, ensure equal opportunities, and enhance competitiveness within the delivery sector. However, the transition period appears to have affected several food delivery platforms and their associated restaurant partners, resulting in widespread service slowdowns.

According to delivery operators, the new compliance checks — which include verification of rider visas and licences — have contributed to operational delays. While these measures are intended to strengthen workforce governance, the immediate impact has been felt across Muscat’s food and hospitality industry.
A number of restaurants and cafés across the capital have reported mounting losses, stating that their dependence on delivery platforms such as Talabat and Khedmah has left them vulnerable to service interruptions. While a cloud kitchen proprietor lamented the fact that their sales have plummeted, barely reaching 20 percent since the last weekend, another restaurant owner, who has a café located on a service road, underscored his reliance on delivery apps owing to his inability to draw walk-in customers.
Talabat issues statement on service delays:

It may be recalled that The Arabian Stories (TAS) had shared a statement from Talabat recently, amid mounting speculation online. The brief statement acknowledged that some areas may face “temporary delays” due to “ongoing challenges in local operations.”

The company shared an update via its official Instagram story late Monday, stating:
“Some areas may experience temporary delays due to ongoing challenges in local operations. Our teams are working closely with the relevant entities to keep deliveries running smoothly. Thank you for your patience and continued trust in Talabat.”

The statement followed widespread customer complaints on social media, with users reporting that they were unable to place or receive orders, while several restaurants appeared as “closed” or “unavailable” on the app.

Consumers, meanwhile, continue to express frustration over the lack of clear communication regarding the service disruption. The ‘closed’ label plastered across the outlets on the app are proving to be a snag in the previous comfortable lifestyles of many a city resident.