After Dubai and Abu Dhabi opening its door for the tourists, Oman is all set to welcome the tourists once again after 8-months. Tourists can now visit the sultanate as the country eases coronavirus restrictions in a bid to kickstart the economy. In addition, Oman has now announced that nationals from 103 counties will be provided a visa-free entry for 10 days. The move comes as an initiative to boost tourism.
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دعما للحركة السياحية وتسهيلا للسائحين الراغبين في زيارة السلطنة تعلن شرطة عمان السلطانية عن إعفاء رعايا مائة وثلاث دول من تأشيرات الدخول إلى السلطنة لمدة عشرة أيام وذلك وفق الضوابط والشروط المحددة ومنها وجود حجز فندقي مسبق ومؤكد وتأمينا صحيا وتذكرة سفرللعودة.#شرطة_عمان_السلطانية
— شرطة عُمان السلطانية (@RoyalOmanPolice) December 9, 2020
Visitors Must Have Hotel Booking, Insurance & A Return Ticket
While the Sultanate made the announcement, updates on the list of countries are awaited. Visitors must have a confirmed hotel reservation, health insurance and a return ticket, Royal Oman Police said on its Twitter account.
Beaches, Cinemas And Parks Now Open In Oman
Earlier this week, on Tuesday, beaches, cinemas and parks were allowed to reopen by the Supreme Committee Responsible for Covid-19. Furthermore, it was announced that issuing of tourist visas would begin under certain conditions. On this, Oman News Agency said,
“The Supreme committee decided to allow the issuance of tourist visas to enter the sultanate, provided that the arrival of tourists is within the framework of tourist groups organised by hotels and tourism companies.”
Also read: Oman To Charge Travellers For Transit From January 1, 2021
The Country Is Opening For Tourism To Boost The Economy
Exhibitions, conferences and weddings will be allowed, while nurseries and kindergarten will reopen for kids. While the government is opening its doors for the tourists, strict guidelines and other mandatory norms, have to be followed by both tourists and citizens. On this committee responsible for handling Covid-19 pandemic said,
“The decision is based on improving and reopening the economy that was restricted by the lockdown, but we urge everyone to be responsible for themselves and the general public by taking the necessary precautions to keep the rate of infection down.”
Also read: This Resort In Oman Has Been Rated As The Best In Middle East
Business owners welcomed the news, saying the lifting of restrictions would boost operations.
“We were really hit hard by the Covid-19 restrictions on the wedding business. The closure of our halls has nearly bankrupted us and we were seriously considering closing them down,” Amina Al Habsi, 48, the owner of Crown Wedding Halls in Muscat, said.
Well, we hope that this reopening boosts the economy and tourists take enough precautions before entering the country.
First Published: December 10, 2020 10:11 AM