Flights from eight sub-Saharan African countries are barred from entry into the Gulf State of Oman, as the sultanate moves to limit the spread of coronavirus.
The ban comes into effect from Thursday, February 25, 2021; according to the government task force on coronavirus.
In total, 10 countries have been listed but eight are from Africa. Those listed include: Sudan, South Africa, Nigeria, Tanzania, Ghana, Ethiopia, Guinea and Sierra Leone. The twin non-African countries listed are Brazil and Lebanon.
According to the task force, the decision also affects arrivals from elsewhere if they have passed through any of the banned countries in the 14 days prior to applying to enter the sultanate. Omani citizens, diplomats, health workers and their families are exempted from the suspension.
The Sultanate’s ministry of health earlier this month announced the travellers, especially those from East African countries, had accounted for 18% of new infections. They hinted at the time of a ban specifically targeting Tanzania.
Africa's coronavirus statistics as at Tuesday February 23, 2021; included 3,838,479 total confirmed cases; 344,038 active confirmed cases; 3,392,768
recoveries and 101,673 deaths.
File photo of an airport