COVID-19 pandemic in Oman

The COVID-19 pandemic in Oman was a part of the worldwide pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The virus was confirmed to have reached Oman on 24 February 2020 when two citizens tested positive for COVID-19 after returning from Iran.^[4] As of 21 August 2021, the total number of cases registered in the sultanate is 300,914, of which 289,450 have recovered and 4,020 have died.^[2] Initially, the majority of the cases and deaths occurred in the expatriate community. By July 2020, as the pandemic entered its fourth month in the country, the majority of the cases and deaths had occurred among the citizens.^[5][6]

Muscat continues to be the most affected governorate with the highest number of confirmed cases at over 149,383 and 1,354 deaths,^[2] and accounted for 76% of the total cases in the country by early June 2020, with the majority of the cases being in the expatriate community.^[7] On 10 April 2020, the entire governorate was put under lockdown until 22 April,^[8] this was extended twice,^[9][10] with the lockdown being lifted on 29 May.^[11]

Starting 13 June 2020, lockdowns were imposed in the governorate of Dhofar, the wilayat of Masirah, the wilayat of Duqm and the areas of Jebel Akhdar and Jebel Shams until 3 July 2020.^[12] Various national level lockdowns and movement bans have since been imposed over the course of the pandemic.

As per directives issued by Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, COVID-19 tests and treatment were initially free for all communities of the sultanate, including expatriates.^[13] As of August 2021, Oman has vaccinated a total of 66% of its populations in terms of both first and second doses administered.^[3]