Vote for song
Merge 104.8 | 02 July 2020
Oman’s Minister of Transport, H.E. Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Futaisi has said during the Supreme Committee for COVID-19’s 12th press conference held today [Thursday, July 2], that as of yet, there are still no plans to re-open the country’s airports and land borders.
Speaking at the briefing were:
H.E. Dr. Ahmed Al Saeedi
Minister of Health
H.E. Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Futaisi
Minister of Transport
Dr. Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Al Hinai
CEO, Oman Development Bank
Dr. Saif bin Salim Al Abri
Director General of Disease Surveillance and Control, Ministry of Health
Dr. Ali bin Abdullah Al Maqbali
Director of Disease Surveillance and Control North Batinah
Touching on developments amid the ongoing COVID-19 situation in the Sultanate, Supreme Committee members also noted the following:
H.E. Dr. Ahmed Al Futaisi, Minister of Transport:
— More than 2,400 flights have been operated over the past few months for cargo and humanitarian purposes.
— There are no plans as yet to reopen Oman’s airports and land borders.
— The government will not allow Oman’s aviation sector to collapse. Aviation sector activity in the region will be back to the same as it was in 2019 within 4-5 years.
— The 5th phase of businesses to re-open may include gyms and fitness facilities located in hotels.
H.E. Dr. Ahmed Al Saeedi, Minister of Health:
— Highlighting the importance of individual responsibility in preventing the spread of COVID-19, there was an instance that came to the Committee’s attention of an employee who shook hands with his colleagues and then told them that his wife was infected with COVID-19.
— COVID-19 can be so painful that one doctor from the Ministry of Health who contracted the virus wished to die — saying that his chest felt like it was full of breaking glass with each breath.
(Also read: COVID-19: Who will benefit from Oman’s emergency interest-free loan scheme?)
