Oman extended the closure of its borders until February 8 after new strains of coronavirus were detected.
The sultanate closed its borders for a week on January 18 and the latest decision marks a second extension.
On Monday, Minister of Health Dr Ahmed Al Saeedi said Oman detected six cases of mutant strains, but did not specify which ones they were.
He said that the number of patients admitted to hospital with Covid-19 had doubled to 102 in two weeks.
"Doubling of the number is very worrying and frightening. We see individuals shake hands and embrace as if the virus and the pandemic have ended," Dr Al Saeedi said in a statement.
But he ruled out a total lockdown in Oman and said it was not “necessary for now”.
Last weekend, Oman received 100,000 doses of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines manufactured under licence by the Serum Institute of India, but the Ministry of Health did not say when the next round of vaccinations will begin.
On January 28, Oman announced an indefinite ban on public and private gatherings as daily Covid-19 cases increased.
The sultanate's supreme committee responsible for tackling the pandemic said the ban included educational institutions, weddings, conferences, seminars and exhibitions.
Oman began its vaccination campaign using Pfizer-BioNTech inoculations on December 7.
Since then, about 30,000 people have been vaccinated.
In a statement to Oman Television on Sunday, the Health Ministry urged people to take the vaccinations and not respond to rumours about the inoculations on social media.
Dr Al Saeedi said the next batch of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines would arrive in six weeks, owing to problems faced by manufacturers.
The minister confirmed that Oman has ordered 2.5 million doses from Pfizer-BioNTech and other vaccine makers while orders for a further two million doses were being made.
Oman registered 198 more coronavirus cases and three deaths on Sunday.
The total number of cases in Oman is now 134,524, including 1,532 deaths and 126,949 recoveries.
AVOID SCAMMERS: TIPS FROM EMIRATES NBD
1. Never respond to e-mails, calls or messages asking for account, card or internet banking details
2. Never store a card PIN (personal identification number) in your mobile or in your wallet
3. Ensure online shopping websites are secure and verified before providing card details
4. Change passwords periodically as a precautionary measure
5. Never share authentication data such as passwords, card PINs and OTPs (one-time passwords) with third parties
6. Track bank notifications regarding transaction discrepancies
7. Report lost or stolen debit and credit cards immediately
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
'Brazen'
Director: Monika Mitchell
Starring: Alyssa Milano, Sam Page, Colleen Wheeler
Rating: 3/5
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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RIDE%20ON
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The specs: 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor
Price, base / as tested Dh220,000 / Dh320,000
Engine 3.5L V6
Transmission 10-speed automatic
Power 421hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 678Nm @ 3,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 14.1L / 100km
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
The specs: 2018 Renault Koleos
Price, base: From Dh77,900
Engine: 2.5L, in-line four-cylinder
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
Power: 170hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 233Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.3L / 100km
UAE rugby season
FIXTURES
West Asia Premiership
Dubai Hurricanes v Dubai Knights Eagles
Dubai Tigers v Bahrain
Jebel Ali Dragons v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Division 1
Dubai Sharks v Dubai Hurricanes II
Al Ain Amblers v Dubai Knights Eagles II
Dubai Tigers II v Abu Dhabi Saracens
Jebel Ali Dragons II v Abu Dhabi Harlequins II
Sharjah Wanderers v Dubai Exiles II
LAST SEASON
West Asia Premiership
Winners – Bahrain
Runners-up – Dubai Exiles
UAE Premiership
Winners – Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Runners-up – Jebel Ali Dragons
Dubai Rugby Sevens
Winners – Dubai Hurricanes
Runners-up – Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Conference
Winners – Dubai Tigers
Runners-up – Al Ain Amblers
RACE CARD
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 – Group 1 (PA) $65,000 (Dirt) 2,000m
7.05pm: Handicap (TB) $65,000 (Turf) 1,800m
7.40pm: Meydan Classic – Listed (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,600m
8.15pm: Nad Al Sheba Trophy – Group 3 (TB) $195,000 (T) 2,810m
8.50pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (T) 2,000m
9.25pm: Meydan Challenge – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,400m
The%20specs
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