The Sultanate of Oman on May 22 announced the end of its mask mandate and the remaining coronavirus curbs after more than two years of pandemic restrictions.
Due to a steady decline in coronavirus infections and hospitalizations in the country, the government said the public is no longer required to follow health precautions including wearing masks in public places and avoiding large crowds.
Officials were careful not to declare the country’s health crisis officially over, yet urged citizens to get a booster shot if they experience symptoms of COVID-19 and if they haven’t already.
However, the cessation of all restrictions brings back normalcy in Oman as the rest of its Gulf Arab neighbors view the virus in a similar way.
The sultanate is recording some 20 virus cases a day, up from 1,000 a day earlier this year as the highly permeable Omicron variant fueled a winter surge.
According to Our World in Data Project at the University of Oxford, Oman’s vaccination campaign has now dispelled initial vaccine doubts and has rapidly accelerated with 135 doses for every 100 people.