Oman bans entry for all non-Omanis, except GCC citizens

Late on Thursday evening, Oman’s Supreme Committee met at the country’s Ministry of Interior and decided to take further steps to combat the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus including banning the entry of all non-Omanis, except GCC citizens, to the country from Tuesday, March 17, for an indefinite period.

Read: Oman suspends tourist visas, halts sports activities for month

The decision was reported by the country’s official news channel, Oman News Agency, and included the following resolutions:

— Ban on entry of all non-Omanis to the sultanate’s territories via all land, sea and air ports and checkpoints, except citizens of GCC states.

— Imposing quarantine on all passengers arriving in the Sultanate via all land, sea and air ports and checkpoints, including Omanis.

— Closing all parks and public play areas.

— Suspending Friday prayers.

— Stopping all social gatherings like wedding parties and funeral ceremonies.

Prior to this latest announcement, the sultanate had already issued an order ceasing the issuing of tourist visas beginning on Sunday, March 15.

On March 14, the sultanate announced the suspension of studies at all educational institutions for a month.

On Sunday, Oman’s Ministry of Health announced two more case of the virus strain within the country.

The latest case included a citizen of the country who had travelled to Italy.

The number of coronavirus infectees stands at 22, of whom nine are said to have completely recovered.