MRMWR's Ministerial Decision 29/2016 issued on February 4 has listed special requirements for these activities and services giving establishments two years to implement these changes. According to the decision licences of those failing to meet the requirements will be cancelled.

The ministry stated that as per Article 3 of the new decision earlier decisions (1404/96 219/99 and 69/2000) stand cancelled along with all rules that contradict or are inconsistent with provisions of the latest decision.

The new decision includes 188 articles divided into eight chapters. The first chapter contains definitions and general provisions while the second lists health requirements.

The third chapter has provisions related to trading of food and its distribution under 22 subheads including health requirements for restaurants cafes mobile cafes public kitchens meals on cruise ships preparation and sale of barbecue items pancakes sweet corn bakery items - manual and electronic shops selling food items (grocery) vegetables and fruits juices ice cream parlours food carts stores dealing in refrigerated frozen canned or dry foods food processing activities factory production of starch used in the Omani sweets industry and for the Omani sweets industry in general.

The fourth chapter deals with special veterinary health control requirements in ten fields like livestock poultry sale of meat poultry (chilled or frozen) sale of fish health requirements for shops selling birds and ornamental fish and other animals health requirements for tanning leather and for drying and salting of fish.

The fifth chapter lists health requirements for barber shops hairdressing and beauty salons laundry services and for running hotel facilities. Chapter Six looks into health requirements for professionals at workshops and workers' living areas.

The transport and logistics sector is covered in the seventh chapter which covers health requirements for transport of dry chilled and frozen food home delivery of food transport of soft drinks and bottled drinking water bakery products live animals live poultry potable and non-potable water and transferring sewage.

Violations are covered in the eighth chapter. The decision states that anyone who violates the provisions of this regulation will be punished according to the Omani Penal Code. The fine will be doubled in case of repeated violations. As per Article 187 the facility can face closure for not paying the fine within 30 days. Article 188 stipulates that if the activities of an establishment pose grave threat to public health authorities can revoke its licence.