Muscat: Last week’s advisory by Oman’s embassy in New Delhi to its citizens on limiting or restricting travel to India due to the alarming increase in the number of COVID -19 infections have derailed the travel plans of many Omani citizens.
The alert came close on the heels of the announcement tweeted by Indian Embassy in Oman about the restoration of electronic Visa (e-Visa) under sub-categories other than e-Tourist Visa, namely, e-Business Visa, e-Medical Visa, e-Medical Attendant Visa and e-Conference Visa with immediate effect. Oman was among the countries whose citizens are is eligible for e-visa in categories mentioned above. The news was received well by Omani citizens, since India is a sought-after destination for medical tourism.
Majid Noor Al Balushi, working for a logistics company in Muscat, said he was on the verge of finalising dates for taking his dad for his eye treatment to Chennai. “He has been going to this special eye care hospital in Chennai for his treatment and follow-up checks. A follow-up visit has long been pending and when I heard about the opening of e-medical visas to India, we thought it was good signal. But now we have to wait again till situation normalises in India.”
A leading travel agent confirmed that many who had booked tickets to India have put them on hold since last week. “The current news that we are getting as well as ground reports shared by the relatives of travellers are not encouraging for anyone to go ahead with their travel plans. Since the last one week, we have received many calls from booked passengers who want to defer their travel plans.”
