MUSCAT : “Tomorrow for the first time in two years I will be in hospital without wearing a mask. I hope people will remember me.”

These are the words of Dr. Zakariya Al Balushi, a senior Infectious Disease Consultant at Royal Hospital as Oman’s Supreme Committee removed all COVID-19 restrictions including the mandatory face mask rules in a bid to bring life back to full normalcy.

‎”Masks have become a powerful tool for protection and a symbol of pandemic life, so shedding them is a big step to a normal life,” said Mohammed Al Balushi, a businessman in Seeb.

“It will be literally a breath of fresh air to throw away our masks, and to see a smile unhidden by a face covering,” he said with a smile.

However, the Supreme Committee urged the public especially the elderly, and those with chronic diseases to adhere to wearing a mask in closed places.

Speaking to The Arabian Stories, a Supreme Committee member clarified the decisions issued on Sunday. “The Supreme Committee has issued a clear decision lifting all restrictions regarding coronavirus rules including face masks in all places. Which means no more restrictions on anything but we need to be cautious at all times because the virus is not fully eliminated so its up to the person to decide if he or she wants to wear a mask or not when they are outside or in closed places,” he added.

Oman is the second country in GCC after Kuwait to lift all Covid restrictions. “This is the best and a bold decision from the government of Oman,” said Adil Al Kasbi, a public sector employee.

“I am happy to be one of the project supervisors from its inception until the end of 2020, with an exceptional team that presented a creative media campaign and stood as an impenetrable barrier to rumours,” said Moosa Al Balushi from the media team of Supreme Committee.

“The mask has become a part of our daily life, we are accustomed to it, so we do not say goodbye, but rather a meeting that will be renewed soon, as we may need you one day,” said Amal Al Braika on Twitter.