Note: The following text is a public domain translation published by the Official OmanVsCovid19 Twitter account.
Statement of the Supreme Committee
Within it’s continuous sessions held to evaluate and address the developments of COVID-19 in the Sultanate, the Supreme Committee has reviewed the recent updates on COVID-19 precautions and measures implemented to halt its further spread, and studied the epidemiological situation of the infection locally and globally, and the local reports of the polymerase (PCR) diagnostic testing required form travellers prior to arriving in the Sultanate, especially with the confirmed spread of the mutated strains linked to travel associated exportation, and their outbreak in the Sultanate. Therefore, attempting to protect the health and well-being of the public, and to maintain the healthcare system, the Supreme Committee decided the following:
First: adding arrivals from the Republic of India, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Republic of Bangladesh and travellers who have been in or transited through any of these countries in the previous 14 days prior to their request to enter the Sultanate, to the list of countries from which entry to the Sultanate is suspended, effective 6 PM of Saturday 24th April 2021 until further notice. This excludes Omani citizens, diplomats, healthcare workers and their families, who will be subject to the approved procedures upon arriving in the Sultanate.
Second, Not allowing children below 12 years to enter commercial malls and shops. In this context, the committee instructs commercial complexes, commercial outlets, restaurants and cafeterias to comply and limit the entry therein of customers to 50% of the outlets’ capacity. Legal action will be taken against any party that fails to abide by the decisions.
Third, continuing of online learning to all classrooms in government and private schools and higher education institutions, except for grade 12 students and those who must attend practical parts of their specializations, such as students of the College of Medicine and Health Sciences and students of vocational training, and this will be evaluated according to the developments of the epidemiological situation.
The committee eventually invites all relevant authorities to seek the use of volunteers in all Wilyats to monitor the compliance with and enforcement of the binding decisions of the committee, especially in centres, shops, markets, restaurants and cafés, in coordination with the Waalis offices.