Oman expats face deportation over COVID-19 violations

Cairo: Thirty-three migrant workers in Oman face deportation after they were convicted in court verdicts of violating the country’s rules against the spread of the coronavirus.

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Courts in the Omani governorates of Al Batinah, Dhofar, Musandam and Al Sharqiyah South have convicted a total of 42 people, including nine Omanis, on charges of violating bans on movement and mass gatherings or failing to wear mandatory protective face masks, local media reported.

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The rulings, passed over the period from November 24 to December 3, ranged from three months in prison and a fine of OMR1,000 each.

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The courts ordered convicted foreigners to be deported from Oman.

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Tackling crisis

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The photos and names of the 42 defendants were published by local media in line with a decision earlier made by Oman’s supreme committee in charge of tackling the COVID-19 crisis to deter would-be offenders.

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The foreign offenders are Bangladeshi, Philippine, Pakistani and Indian nationals, according to the official announcements released by public prosecution.

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Oman so far has registered a total of 124,329 virus cases and 1,435 related deaths.