Oman to reopen land borders on October 1 despite rise in Covid-19 cases

The country also plans to reopen its airport

People flying into Muscat from October 1 will require a medical certificate to prove they do not have Covid-19. AFP

Oman will reopen its land borders on October 1, local media reported on Wednesday.

An official told the Times of Oman that the move would allow citizens and residents to move in and out of the country.

A PCR test will be required for all those entering the country, with people told to quarantine for 14 days after they arrive, the official said.

Oman also plans to reopen its airport from October 1. Passengers flying into the capital Muscat will require a medical certificate proving they are coronavirus-free.

The decision comes despite an increase in daily coronavirus cases, with 660 new infections and seven deaths reported on Tuesday, taking the number of infections in the country to 94,711.

Infections dropped below 200 a day in early September, but there has been a sharp increase in infections in recent weeks, prompting Omani authorities to open a new field hospital this week.

The Omani Health Ministry said on Monday that it expected to immunise some staff by the end of the year.

"In the beginning and because of its limitation in numbers, the vaccines would only be available to frontline workers, including medical staff, the police and the army," the ministry said.