<article><p class="lead">Oman has announced a near two-week closure of all crossings in and out of Muscat governorate as part of precautionary measures aimed at limiting the spread of the Covid-19 outbreak. </p><p>Muscat's port district of Mutrah — one of the country's worst-hit areas — was placed under full lockdown last week and will remain so until further notice. </p><p>The closure of Muscat governorate will begin at 10:00 Gulf Standard Time (GST) on 10 April and will until 22 April. People entering or leaving the city of Muscat will be required to pass security checkpoints. Omani authorities have also opted to suspend studies in all educational institutions until further notice, and continue distance learning initiatives. </p><p>Oman has 419 confirmed coronavirus cases and two deaths. </p><p>The latest measures will weigh on the consumption of transport fuels in the country.</p><p>Other Mideast Gulf countries have taken similar measures in recent weeks. Saudi Arabia has put the capital Riyadh and several other cities and provinces under a <a href="https://direct.argusmedia.com/newsandanalysis/article/2094281">round-the-clock curfew</a>. Dubai imposed a <a href="https://direct.argusmedia.com/newsandanalysis/article/2093760">24-hour, two-week lockdown late on 4 April</a>. And Kuwait has extended a partial curfew by two hours from 17:00 to 06:00 until further notice. It has also placed the Mahboula and Jleeb al-Shuyoukh areas on complete lockdown for two weeks from 6 April. </p><p class="bylines">By Ieva Paldaviciute</p></article>
