Travel, Tourism & Hospitality
Oman extends closure of land borders till further notice
Oman has decided to extend the closure of the Sultanate's land borders until further notice, except for the passage of trucks, following a sharp rise in number of infections, said a report.
Oman has decided to extend the closure of the Sultanate's land borders until further notice, except for the passage of trucks, following a sharp rise in number of infections, said a report.
Omani citizens abroad who wish to return to the Sultanate will be allowed to return home, from today till 10 am of February 21, after which no individuals will be allowed to enter the Sultanate till lifting of the land border closure, said a report in Oman News Agency.
All citizens wishing to return to the Sultanate (within the 10-day period) have to undergo institutional health isolation at their own cost, besides abiding by other procedures imposed on incoming travellers, the report said.
The decision was announced during a recent meeting of the Supreme Committee tasked with tackling developments from coronavirus pandemic.
Following the recommendations of the specialized technical team, the Supreme Committee has decided the following:
1. To make institutional health isolation compulsory for all incoming travellers, at their own cost..
2. Closure of all commercial activities in North A’Sharqiyah Governorate from 7 pm to 6 am with effect from February 12, for a period of 14 days, with the exception of fuel filling stations, health establishments and private pharmacies.
3. Closure of all beaches, leisure spaces and public parks in all governorates of the Sultanate from February 11, for a period of two weeks, while at the same time maintaining the ban on all gatherings, irrespective of their whereabouts—be it in rest-houses, farms, winter camps, manor houses or elsewhere.
4. Down-sizing by 50 per cent the number of visitors to government departments, private establishments, commercial centres, business outlets, marketplaces, restaurants, cafeterias, cafes serving shisha or indoor sports halls. The downsizing begins on February 12 and will continue till further notice.
5. Postponement of loan premiums payable to (the previous) Al-Raffd Fund by owners of small and medium enterprises from January 1 to June 30. This is in addition to offering incentives to beneficiaries from (the previous) Sanad and Livelihood Resources Programme. The incentives will be announced later by the authorities concerned.