COVID-19: Oman bans flights from UK, extends night curfew

Oman has announced the suspension of all direct passenger flights from the UK starting March 19 as part of efforts to curb the spread of coronavirus.

The state media added that passengers who have transitted through the UK in the last two weeks will also be banned from entry.

The move, which will exempt Omani nationals and cargo flights, will come into effect from noon on Friday.

The country’s coronavirus committee has also renewed the order to close all commercial activities in the sultanate from 8:00 pm to 5:00 am until April 3. 

Exemptions will be made for fuel stations, home delivery services, health institutions, pharmacies, and some factories.

A 70 per cent capacity limit will also be introduced in some government offices from March 21 to April 1.

So far, the country has recorded a total of 148,558 infections and 137,544 recoveries. Fatalities stood at 1,617.