Coronavirus: Oman celebrates after day with no deaths

No fatalities recorded from Covid-19 on Wednesday as authorities reopened beaches, malls and cinemas

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  A traditional boat is moored next to a modern ship in the port of Mutrah in the Omani capital Muscat. AFP

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  A view of the Al-Alam palace in the Omani capital Muscat. AFP

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  A view of the Mutrah castle in the Omani capital Muscat. AFP

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  A partial view of the seaside corniche in the Omani capital Muscat. AFP

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  A view of the area of Haramil in the Omani capital Muscat. AFP

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  A vendor wearing a face mask against the coronavirus sits in front of his shop at the Mutrah Souq in the Omani capital Muscat. AFP

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  A vendor wearing a face mask against the coronavirus sells dates at the Mutrah Souq in the Omani capital Muscat. AFP

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  A vendor wearing a face mask against the coronavirus sells fresh fish at the Mutrah Souq in the Omani capital Muscat. AFP

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  A vendor wearing a face mask against the coronavirus sells fresh fish at the Mutrah Souq in the Omani capital Muscat. AFP

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  A vendor wearing a face mask against the coronavirus sells fresh fish at the Mutrah Souq (Mutah market) in the Omani capital Muscat. AFP

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  A vendor wearing a face mask against the coronavirus carries fresh fish to be sold at the Mutrah Souq in the Omani capital Muscat. AFP

There were no deaths from Covid-19 in Oman on Wednesday for the first time in nearly four months as infections drop rapidly even as the government eases restrictions.

The country recorded only 237 new infections on Wednesday, a drop of 68 per cent compared with last week, the Ministry of Health said. The last time Oman reported no Covid-19 deaths was on September 6.

So far, 1,435 people have died from the virus in the country, which by Thursday had reported 124,329 infections.

The report of no deaths came a day after Oman eased restrictions to boost the economy.

On Tuesday, the Supreme Committee Responsible for Covid-19 said beaches, cinemas and parks could reopen.

The country also announced it would begin issuing tourist visas after an eight-month hiatus, under certain conditions.

Shopping malls thronged with large crowds and long queues of cars were seen near beaches on Wednesday as people got out to enjoy expanded freedoms.

"I just saw feet only instead of the white sands today on the beach," said Said Al Jaffary, 37, an Omani living in Muscat.

"Kids were playing football all over the place, there were many heads on the water as people swam and others just sat on the sand soaking in the sun. It is like they were just released from the prisons."

But not everybody was keen to get out, with some concerned that a sudden rush could cause an increase in infections if measures such as social distancing were not followed.

"Whether it is a good idea to ease these restrictions at this time or not, I am not happy to see huge crowds in the malls. People almost brush shoulders as they walk around and the food courts are packed," said Latifa Wilson, 29, a British resident of Muscat.