Oman imposes new flight restrictions

Oman has imposed new flight restrictions and a ban on passengers from 10 countries effective today, as it steps up efforts to protect its citizens and residents from the spread of more infectious variants of Covid-19.

It has imposed a 15-day ban on travellers coming from Sudan, Lebanon, South Africa, Brazil, Nigeria, Tanzania, Ghana, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Ethiopia. Travellers that have passed through these countries within 14 days on arrival in Oman are also barred from entering the country, even if they are arriving from any other country.

Omani citizens, diplomats, health staff and their families are exempt from these restrictions. But the government highly advises its nationals and residents to avoid travel abroad, except under extreme necessity.

The decision comes two weeks after Oman announced a host of new, tighter mobility restrictions as more infectious variants of Covid-19 have contributed to rising cases in several nearby countries

Oman's daily infections rose to 311 on 24 February, bringing the total number of cases to 140,300. Daily case numbers had held steady at around 200 since the start of the year.

These measures will continue to suppress air travel and Oman's jet fuel demand.

Domestic jet fuel demand fell by 67pc from a year earlier to 4,600 b/d in 2020 as a result of the Covid-19 air travel restrictions, according to Oman's national centre for statistics and Information. Consumption rose in the final months of last year, but fell by 7pc from the previous month in December, partly because of the 21 December decision to close all its land, air and sea borders until 1 January. But demand rose by 27pc from a month earlier in January to 4,110 b/d when Oman Air added more flight destinations.

By Sarah Raffoul