MUSCAT:Oman on Thursday launched a slate of measures aimed at easing the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on citizens and private sector. 

Following are the measures taken by the government on Thursday:

1. Sufficient reserve of additional staple foodstuffs has been provided.
2. Giving access to the private sector to tap the resources of government stores, free of charge, for consumer goods and foodstuffs over the next six months.
3. Exemption granted to restaurants from tourist tax till the end of August 2020.
4. Exemption from municipality fees tax granted to all restaurants till the end of August 2020.
5. Exemption from municipality fees granted to commercial establishments till the end of August 2020.
6. Postponing loan installments for Small and Medium Enterprises, fees payable to Al Rafd Fund for the next 6 months.
7. Postponing loan installments/premiums payable to Oman Development Bank during the next 6 months.
8. Oman Development Bank and Al Rafd Fund to respond positively to Central Bank of Oman’s procedures governing credit incentives.
9. Exemption from rent granted to factories in industrial cities for a period of 3 months.
10. Instructing car (automobile) sale agencies and finance companies to postpone installments/ premiums of cars for a period of 3 months in accordance with the Central Bank of Oman’s circular.
11. Discounting fees for handling (loading, unloading) and cargo at ports.
12. Discounting cargo fees for foodstuff and medicines.
13. Urging owners of commercial centres /complexes and real estate owners to operate in a manner that takes into account the current situation of their rented shops/outlets that are affected by the precautionary measures, either by waiving (canceling) or discounting or postponing the rent agreed during the next period , while at the same time coordinating with the departments concerned.

Also Read: All restaurants in Oman exempted from paying tourism, municipal taxes