MUSCAT — Oman reopened malls, some businesses and industrial activities Wednesday as the country eased coronavirus restrictions.

More than 50 commercial and industrial activities reopened following a decision on Tuesday by the Supreme Committee tasked with tackling the COVID-19 pandemic.

Businesses covered by the decision include real estate offices, travel agencies, maintenance businesses and dry cleaners.

Social distancing of at least two metres must be maintained by customers, the agency said.

Last week, Oman allowed most shops in the high streets to reopen while malls and education institutions remained closed.

The latest easing of restrictions comes as the sultanate tackles a surge in cases. On Wednesday, Oman recorded 1,142 new coronavirus infections, pushing the total number of infected people over 33,536.

The health ministry said the rise in infections was due to people in construction labor camps breaking social-distancing rules and safety procedures.

“Construction camps need to follow the pandemic rules. There are reports workers do not respect the safety procedures since the reopening of this sector,” the ministry of health said earlier this week.

On Monday, Oman flew 73 Indian doctors and nurses back to the country to support the fight against the pandemic. The group was on annual leave in their home country when stay-home measures prevented them from returning to Oman.

Oman recorded 1,142 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday and two new virus-related deaths, the ministry of health said on Twitter.

A total of 142 people have died from COVID-19. In the last 24 hours, there were 693 recoveries.

Of the newly reported cases, 471 cases were detected in expatriates, and 671 Omanis were found to be infected. The country performed 3,585 tests in the last 24 hours. — Agencies