COVID-19 impact: In Oman, only citizens and residents allowed to enter from April 8

Dubai: Only Omani citizens and holders of residency visas will be allowed to enter the Sultanate as of Thursday, April 8, state news agency ONA said on Monday.

The move was taken by the Supreme Committee tackling the COVID-19 pandemic, as part of a slew of restrictions to contain the pandemic as the number of daily reported infections continues to rise.

The committee also announced a seven-hour night curfew from 9pm to 4am during the holy month of Ramadan.

It also extended the suspension of all business activities and the ban on the movement of individuals and vehicles from 9pm to 4am during the fasting month.

The committee bans Taraweeh prayers at mosques during Ramadan. All kinds of Ramadan gatherings and Iftar banquets are totally banned in mosques, tents and public places.

All social, sports and cultural activities and any form of group activities are prohibited during the month.

Oman on Monday reported 1,117 new COVID-19 cases, taking the tally of infections in the Sultanate to 164,274.

The Ministry of Health announced that the number of recoveries has now touched 147,539 after 862 new recoveries were reported in the past 24 hours. 10 more deaths were also registered, bringing the death toll to 1,722.

The ministry stated that 98 patients were hospitalised over the past 24 hours, noting that the total number of current hospitalised coronavirus patients is 606, of whom 198 are in intensive care.