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Oman News

Photo by: NIshad Padiyarath

Is now the right time for Oman to lift all restrictions?

Hundreds of resident expats are stranded in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh due to the travel ban.

TAS News Service

info@thearabianstories.com

Monday, August 16, 2021

MUSCAT: With COVID-19 cases significantly dropping in the Sultanate, expats from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh hope flight restrictions will end soon.

The Supreme Committee had imposed an indefinite ban on passengers coming from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh on April 24 to contain the spread of coronavirus. The four-day full lockdown during Eid Al Adha holidays and the current night movement ban has helped to reduce Covid cases in the country. Hundreds of stranded expats now hope that the committee will remove travel restrictions paving way for them to return to Oman soon.

“I have been struck in Kerala for the last five months. I came because of a family emergency in March and could not go back since then. There is a pressure from my employer while I have not paid my rents for my flat in Muscat for the last two months. With Covid cases dropping in Oman, I seriously feel the Supreme Committee will consider lifting the travel ban,” said Binu Mathew. 

The Supreme Committee may also consider increasing the attendance that is reduced to 50 per cent since April 4. The staff not in attendance are working remotely.

Oman is also currently on a partial lockdown from 10pm to 4am that bans operations of commercial establishments as well human movement. “Since the cases have dropped drastically, the committee should look at lifting these restrictions to bring life back to normal,” said Mohammed Al Amri, a senior citizen residing in Muscat.  

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