MUSCAT: Hundreds of stranded expat residents from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh landed in Muscat on Wednesday after the Supreme Committee lifted travel restrictions from 21 countries and reopened its borders.
Flights from Kochi, Chennai, Calicut, Trivandrum, Mumbai, Islamabad, Multan, and Dhaka were among those that landed at Muscat International Airport.
“I was stranded for three months back home. I was on the verge of losing my job. I am lucky to be on the first flight to return to Muscat,” said Nidheesh Gopalan, who arrived from Trivandrum.
Read More
- Oman police detain 10 over street racing in Nizwa and Izki
- Oman’s Musandam seeks tourism relief, studies new port in Khasab
- Crude oil spill reported after tanker overturns in Oman’s Al Dhahirah
- Invest Oman secures RO 3.09 billion in projects as investment drive gathers pace
- Institutions with high energy use must appoint efficiency officers, Oman ministry says
Many residents had travelled due to emergencies or deaths in the family, and were looking to return to their homes in Oman. “In fact two days before the ban was imposed, I was looking to get back and no flights were available. The ticket I took now was expensive but I didn’t think twice. If I had prolonged my stay, I would have lost my job,” Nidheesh said.
According to the new travel guidelines, fully vaccinated passengers can come to Oman as long as they have received the approved vaccines. Non-vaccinated residents holding valid residency permits can also return, provided they undergo mandatory institutional quarantine for a period of 7-days. The decision also applies to those residents who have taken one dose of vaccine from Oman and failed to obtain the second dose in their countries.
