Muscat: Uncertainty prevailed among a section of the expatriate community in Oman following the suspension of flights by Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait from/to the Asian sub-continent.
“I wanted to travel to India on a short trip but concerned that Oman might soon or later impose restrictions like other countries in the region. In that case, I would be forced to stay in India until further notice or made to present a pre-examination certificate (PCR),” said an Indian expatriate who had plans to visit the southern state of Bangalore this month.
Dineshika, a Sri Lankan expatriate, had similar concerns as he wanted to visit his home country with his child. His concerns grew as Qatar imposed a temporary entry ban on travellers from Sri Lanka.
Airline booking offices and travel agents in Oman are also flooded with calls with people seeking clarifications. “With several airlines announcing waivers on date changes, travellers either want to cancel their tickets irrespective of the destination or want to make sure that their travel is hassle-free,” said a senior sales officer at a major travel house in Muscat.
But Oman's Ministry of Health has been clear in its instructions, according to which no travel restrictions have been imposed on travellers from India and Sri Lanka, among others.
From Oman, all flights have been suspended to Italy, Iran, and China, while quarantine will be applied to passengers from China, Iran, South Korea, and Italy and Egypt.
"Visitors to the Sultanate from the countries where the disease is prevalent and as a precautionary measure will not be allowed to enter from all air, sea and land ports, even if they are transferred through other countries, and they have valid visas," a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said.
Qatar on Sunday temporarily suspended entry of travellers from 14 countries, including India, South Korea, Egypt and Iran.
The temporary suspension of entry to Qatar also extends to Bangladesh, China, Iraq, Lebanon, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Syria and Thailand. Indian passengers travelling to Kuwait have to undergo a complete medical examination and obtain a pre-examination certificate (PCR) from the health centres approved by the Kuwait Embassy in India to confirm they are free from coronavirus.
Saudi Arabia on Monday expanded the travel ban to include five new countries, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
"The kingdom's government decided to suspend traveling of citizens and residents from and to Oman, France, Germany, Turkey, and Spain," SPA said.
Monday's decision increased the number of banned countries on the list to 14.
On Sunday, Riyadh temporarily banned citizens and foreigners living in Saudi Arabia from traveling to the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Lebanon, Syria, South Korea, Egypt, Italy, and Iraq.
Arrivals from the 14 countries and those who have been there in the last 14 days have been temporarily barred from entering the country, while Saudi Arabia has also stopped flights and ships from these countries.
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