The COVID-19 pandemic in Oman is part of the worldwide pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The virus was confirmed to have reached Oman on 24 February 2020 when two citizens tested positive for COVID-19 after returning from Iran. As of 20 July, the total number of cases registered in the sultanate is 68,400, of which above 60%; 45,150 cases have recovered and 326 have died.
Muscat continues to be the most affected governorate with the highest number of confirmed cases at over 24,800 and 110 deaths, and accounted for 76% of the total cases in the country by early June, with the majority of the cases being in the expatriate community. On 10 April, the entire governorate was put under lockdown until 22 April, this was extended twice, with the lockdown being lifted on 29 May. To prevent community infections, the country placed 2,367 people under quarantine in early March. Most of the people were under domestic quarantine while 49 were in institutional quarantine.
On 1 June, as the total cases in Oman crossed 12,000, the health minister stated that the rise in cases over the past few days was due to various Ramadan and Eid gatherings, saying, “if you look at the figures, the cases began to increase during the second half of Ramadan and then it just shot up during Eid because people are flouting the social distancing rules and they are still gathering.”The total number of cases in the Muscat governorate crossed 10,000 on 3 June, accounting for 75.8% of the total cases in Oman by this day.The sanitary isolation in the wilayat of Muttrah was lifted in most of its parts on 6 June. Five new places in the country were placed under lockdown on 13 June, the governorate of Dhofar, the wilayat of Masirah, the wilayat of Duqm and the areas of Jebel Akhdar and Jebel Shams until 3 July.Data reported by the Ministry of Health until 9 June showed that majority of the COVID-19 cases and deaths due to it have been reported in the expatriate community
In early March, the Ministry of Health directed all retail outlets, including shopping malls and supermarkets, to install sanitizers as a preventive measure against the spread of coronavirus.Sultan Haitham formed a supreme committee tasked with dealing and responding to the developments resulting from the outbreak. On 12 March, the committee decided that tourist visas will not be issued to citizens of all countries and also stopped entry and docking of cruise ships in country’s ports. Furthermore, all sports events were cancelled, court attendance limited to essential personnel and the sale of shisha prohibited in restaurants and cafes. These measures were implemented on March 15 for a period of 30 days.On 14 March, the committee decided to suspend all classes in schools, universities and other educational institutions from 15 March for 30 days. Starting 18 March, the Sulthanate imposed further restrictions.
The entry to the country was restricted only to Omani nationals, and nationals were not allowed to depart to other countries. All places of worship, including mosques were closed. All gatherings, events and conferences were suspended. The government banned public gatherings at all tourism sites as well as closure of cinemas, gyms, sport clubs, barber shops and all shops in shopping malls apart from foodstuff and medical outlets.On 30 March, the Public Prosecution said that nine individuals were arrested and held in custody for spreading rumors on COVID-19 while four cases of violations of the measures imposed were also recorded.By 31 March, a total of 2016 individuals were put under institutional quarantine.
The national carrier, Oman Air suspended its flights to multiple countries. On 9 March, all flights to and from Milan, Italy were stopped until further notice.On 12 March, flights between Saudi Arabia and the sultanate were cancelled until further notice.All flights were cancelled to Bahrain and Egypt starting 19 March until further notice.On 22 March, three new countries were added to the list, India till 28 March, Nepal till 31 March and Pakistan till 4 April.Flights were also suspended to Turkey from 25 March till 31 March.
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