Muscat
Oman started coronavirus vaccinations on Sunday, two days ahead of plans to resume all flights and open borders that temporarily closed amid concerns over a new strain of the disease. The sultanate — which has recorded the second highest number of Covid-19 deaths in the Gulf — is the last of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to begin inoculating people. Like most of its neighbors it has opted for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Health Minister Ahmed Al-Saidi, one of the first citizens to get a jab at a Muscat clinic, said priority would be given to front line health workers and people who are considered to be vulnerable.
Oman has so far recorded more than 128,000 cases of the novel coronavirus, including 1,495 deaths. Along with Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, the Gulf sultanate suspended commercial travel and banned entry and exit via their land and sea borders last week after a new strain of the virus appeared in Britain.—AFP
