Muscat: Students of classes 1-4 in the Sultanate will attend their classes online for four weeks from Sunday, the Supreme Committee tasked with tackling developments resulting from coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic has decided.

As part of its ongoing convening, the Committee has studied updates about the pandemic and means of protection against the disease and curb its spread.

It noted that statistics in the local front point to a considerable surge in cases of community-based infection with Covid-19 variant Omicron, as well as a rise in related hospitalisation cases in Oman.

This led to a rise in the average of ‘positive’ cases and hospitalisation rates, while primary healthcare centres registered an increase in respiratory inflammation cases in all governorates of Oman, notably in the age-group of 5-12. This is an indication of widespread respiratory inflammations, among them Covid-19 attacks within the unvaccinated segment.

To protect the young learners and their families and to sustain the health system’s ability to handle the situation, the Supreme Committee decided to revert to the online education system for First Cycle of primary school (classes 1-4) for a period of four weeks with effect from 16 January 2022.

The Supreme Committee lays emphasis on the commitment of all to endorsed precautionary measures. It stresses the need to stick to the 50 percent maximum occupancy rate in establishments allowed to operate, particularly those frequented by a large number of people, like commercial complexes, exhibitions, conference, wedding and sports halls.

The establishments are also required to solicit vaccination proof from their visitors, observe physical distance and demand that the visitors wear face masks.