Middle East and North Africa

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• General
 

Travel Summary

• There are confirmed human cases of Swine Flu in Oman. Screening of passengers, including those in transit, is being undertaken at Muscat International Airport. All passengers are required to complete a landing card on arrival, and pass through a thermal scanner. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 6. The WHO website at http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html has further details.  You should monitor local media reports for local developments and advice.  There is a dedicated Swine Flu page for further information. Guidance on Pandemic Flu can be obtained on the UK Department of Health website.
  
  
• There is an underlying threat from terrorism in Oman.  Attacks, although unlikely, could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. See the Terrorism section of this advice for more details.
  
  
• You should maintain a high level of security awareness, particularly in public places.  You should avoid large gatherings and demonstrations.
  
  
• 23 British nationals required consular assistance in Oman in the period 01 April 2008 – 31 March 2009 for the following types of incident; deaths (4 cases); hospitalisations (1 cases); and arrests, for a variety of offences (8 cases). During this period assistance was also requested with regard to lost or stolen passports (11 cases).
  
  
• You should carry some form of identification with you at all times (either a copy of your passport or your Omani ID).
  
  
• We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake.   See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.