Muscat Municipality has issued strict guidelines for wholesale dealers for visiting Mawaleh Central Market for Vegetables and Fruits while retailers are still not allowed in the market, after it was closed on May 6.  

Muscat Municipality announced the resumption of wholesale trade at the market from 10pm to 6am as of June 8. The market will, however, remain closed for private vehicles, retailers and unauthorised workers.  

In recent weeks, the municipality has shut down the central market a few times and reopened it, only to be closed again.  

In a statement, Muscat Municipality said that the decision is in line with the health guidelines issued by the Supreme Committee for tackling the spread of COVID-19 after setting conditions for restarting trade. 

‘The customs clearance and inspection of refrigerated trucks will be conducted by the customs and agricultural quarantine employees at the logistics city or the border outlets,’ a statement issued by the municipality said. 

‘Trucks that pass inspection will be allowed to enter the market, provided that they show certificate of customs clearance and will be given 24 hours to unload while local producers will be required to register their information at the website of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries one day prior to entering the market,’ it added. 

It also said that the local products should be loaded in refrigerated trucks having a capacity of three or more tonnes. ‘The local producers will be allowed to enter the market during the same timing (10pm to 6am) with only two persons allowed on a truck,’ it said. 

Traders coming from different wilayats to buy fruits and vegetables will be allowed to enter the market only by three or more-tonne refrigerated trucks during the designated timing, with no more than two persons per truck.