Oman to impose curfew due to spike in coronavirus cases

Oman will ban travel between all its governorates from July 25 to August 8 following a spike in coronavirus cases.

That's according to state news agency ONA, which described the measure as a "total lockdown" of all governorates.

The Gulf state will also implement a daily curfew between 7:00 pm and 6:00 am during the period.

Shops and public spaces will be closed during the curfew.

Oman recorded 1,458 new cases of infection on Tuesday and 11 deaths, taking the total tally to 69,887 cases and 337 deaths.

Oman introduced lockdowns in March in some regions such as Muscat, Dhofar, Duqm and some tourist towns. Since April, it has gradually allowed commercial centres to reopen and lifted the lockdown in the Muscat region.

Air and land borders have been closed, except for repatriation. Last week, the government said it would start allowing citizens to fly abroad after applying for permission.