MUSCAT: As Oman continue to be on UK’s red travel list despite significant drop in coronavirus cases, British Ambassador Hamesh Cowell has issued a statement.

The British Ambassador said his embassy is “working exceptionally closely with the Omani authorities and in particular the Ministry of Health to make progress on this issue.”

“I know many in Oman, whether British nationals , Omani students preparing to study in the UK, or others will have been disappointed to see that travel restrictions to the UK remain in place following the latest review,” he said.

“I understand that disappointment. The joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC) assessment process is highly detailed and covers a range of issues including genomic sequencing capability, COVID-19 transmission risk and variant transmission risk. The JBC cannot share data provided by other governments to inform that process. But I wanted to assure you that the Embassy is working exceptionally closely with the Omani authorities and in particular the Ministry of Health to make progress on this issue,” he noted.

Cowell also appreciated the efforts by the Supreme Committee to control the cases and deaths. “Under the guidance of the Supreme Committee, Oman has made good progress in bringing the recent wave of COVID-19 deaths and hospitalisations under control. I would like to join others in thanking the Committee and frontline workers in the health and emergency services, for the work they have done and continue to keep us all safe,” he said.

“I would be delighted to see travel between our two countries back to normal . We will continue to work intensively with our Omani friends and counterparts to achieve that goal as soon as possible,” he added.