MUSCAT: Oman on Sunday entered into a nationwide night lockdown with movements of individuals and vehicles banned between 8pm to 5am until April 8.

The night lockdown is aimed at containing the spread of the rising coronavirus cases in the country. All commercial activities will also be closed during the lockdown. Meanwhile, the Royal Oman Police has also activated checkpoints between all governorates.

On Sunday, Oman registered over 2,200 new COVID-19 cases, taking the total to 156,087.

Following are the activities exempted from the night lockdown:

1. Transportation of health workers, emergency vehicles and emergency services (electricity and water only).
2. Private hospitals.
3. Pharmacies on night shift, as regulated by the Ministry of Health.
4. Airports and seaports.
5. Trucks of all kinds from three tons and above, water tanks and tanks for transporting sewage water.
6. Factories can continue to operate, while employees are not allowed to move outside the factory during the period of movement ban.
7. Unloading and loading operations in factories and warehouses, while employees are not allowed to move outside the factory or warehouse during the movement ban period.
8. Fuel stations on duty through the Ministry of Trade and Industry and Investment Promotion in coordination with marketing companies.
9. Oil fields.
10. Employees in public and private press and media establishments whose nature of work requires coverage during the movement ban, and the Ministry of Information will provide them with a licence to do so.