Omani citizens can fly out of the country if they register with authorities and quarantine on their return, officials announced on Tuesday.
The sultanate suspended all international flights from March 29, except repatriation flights.
But in recent weeks airports began preparing for an increase in travellers by setting up testing programmes to ensure people entering and leaving the country are free of Covid-19.
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A staff member assembles a 3D-printed face shield made under the Glia project, which produces low-cost medical supplies for impoverished regions, in Gaza City. AFP -
A mask-clad child sells watermelons in the Askar Palestinian refugee camp, east of the West Bank city of Nablus. AFP -
A resident of the Askar Palestinian refugee camp, east of the occupied West Bank city of Nablus, washes a horse. AFP -
Sundanese refugee Ayat Mohamed’s sick father sits on a wheelchair at their home in Ain Shams district, amid concerns about the spread of the coronavirus disease in Cairo, Egypt. Reuters -
A vendor works at Al Sadriya Market in the Iraqi capital Baghdad, known for its fresh fruit and vegetable stands. AFP -
Mask-clad residents of the Askar Palestinian refugee camp, east of the occupied West Bank city of Nablus, gather in an alley. AFP -
A man rides a bicycle near the Marmara sea in Istanbul, Turkey. Turkish authorities have now allowed the reopening of restaurants, cafes, parks and beaches, as well as lifting the ban on inter-city travel imposed to contain the coronavirus. EPA -
A man fishes near the Marmara sea against the backdrop of Prince Islands in Istanbul, Turkey. EPA -
A view of an outdoor market in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza Strip, which has reopened after the Covid-19 restrictions. AFP -
A Palestinian man sells eggplants on a donkey-cart in an outdoor market which has reopened after the coronavirus lockdown in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza Strip. AFP -
An Iraqi peddler pushes his drinks cart in Al Khilani square in the capital Baghdad, as vendors return to the streets following relaxation of coronavirus measures in place since late March. AFP -
Basma Mostafa, a 30-year-old journalist who founded an initiative that sends freshly home-cooked meals to quarantined coronavirus patients, writes in Arabic, 'you are not alone, we love you', on a box filled with food at a friend's apartment, in Cairo, Egypt. AP Photo -
Customers enjoy drinks outside a restaurant on a strategic intersection leading into one of Beirut's neighbourhoods. AP Photo
"The airports are fully equipped to handle the pandemic to make sure travellers fly safely," Omani Transport Minister Ahmed Al Futaisi said last week.
Oman’s supreme committee for handling the coronavirus crisis said it would release more details in due course about what people must do when they returned to the country.
The committee also ordered an extension to restrictions in Dhofar and Masirah Island indefinitely.
Both areas experience lower temperatures in the summer months, making them popular with tourists.
A 10-week survey being conducted by Omani authorities has so far found that close contact between family members and visits to other peoples' homes was behind a significant increase in Covid-19 cases.
This sparked warnings from officials for residents and Omanis to follow social distancing protocols and other guidance, including wearing a face mask outside.
On Wednesday, Oman registered 1,679 new cases, an improvement from Monday's daily case record of 2,164.
The country of more than 4.7 million people has recorded 61,247 cases and 281 deaths since the outbreak began.
The Ministry of Health warned that forthcoming Eid Al Adha, to be celebrated on July 31, may sharply increase the number of infections if Omanis and residents do not adhere to public guidelines.
Medical experts advised the government to impose a countrywide lockdown on July 31 and asked all residents and Omanis to stay indoors for the day.
"The first day of Eid is always hectic with communities celebrating together. I strongly advise the government should put a 24-hour nationwide curfew on July 31 or we will have a huge number of infections," Dr Fatma Al Khabbasi, a retired medical practitioner, said.
