Muscat As part of its ongoing convening, the Supreme Committee tasked with tackling developments resulting from coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic has followed up updates about the pandemic, measures to protect the public against it and to curb its spread.

The Supreme Committee studied reports on the epidemiological situation of Covid-19 at the local and international levels. In particular, the committee observed the fresh outbreak of Covid-19 in some countries around the world and the related spate in infections and deaths.

The Supreme Committee reviewed reports on the spread of a new, mutated and more dangerous variant of Covid-19 in a number of African countries.

To protect society against the disease and, to safeguard the gains made in Oman over the past period—which include major decline in the number of infections and hospitalized patients, the Supreme Committee decided to ban entry into the Sultanate of Oman for travelers arriving from seven African countries (listed below) or any arrivals from any other country if they happened to have passed by these countries within the past 14 days prior to applying to enter the Sultanate of Oman.

The seven countries named in the Covid-19 Supreme Committee’s decision today are: South Africa, Namibia, Bostwana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Eswatini and Mozambique.

The travel ban takes place from 8 am on Sunday 28 November 2021, till further notice.

The travel ban decision exempts Omani citizens, diplomats, health workers and their families and citizens of the above-mentioned countries who have valid residency status in Oman.

All those exempted from the travel ban decision—including Omani citizens, will have to undergo PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test upon arrival, as well as a 7-day institutional quarantine—and a repetition of the PCR on the 6th day.

The Covid-19 Supreme Committee urges Omani citizens and residents to avoid travelling during this period, unless it is extremely necessary to do so.

Source: Oman News Agency