Oman Health Ministry Underscores Importance of Covid-19 Vaccine Boosters

Indian nationals residing in Oman, wearing face masks due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, queue with their luggage at the check-in counter at a terminal in Muscat International Airport ahead of their repatriation flight from the Omani capital, on May 12, 2020. (AFP)
Indian nationals residing in Oman, wearing face masks due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, queue with their luggage at the check-in counter at a terminal in Muscat International Airport ahead of their repatriation flight from the Omani capital, on May 12, 2020. (AFP)
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Oman Health Ministry Underscores Importance of Covid-19 Vaccine Boosters

Indian nationals residing in Oman, wearing face masks due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, queue with their luggage at the check-in counter at a terminal in Muscat International Airport ahead of their repatriation flight from the Omani capital, on May 12, 2020. (AFP)
Indian nationals residing in Oman, wearing face masks due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, queue with their luggage at the check-in counter at a terminal in Muscat International Airport ahead of their repatriation flight from the Omani capital, on May 12, 2020. (AFP)

Oman’s Minister of Health Dr. Ahmed Mohammed Al Saidi has underscored the significance of receiving Covid-19 vaccine booster shots and keeping guards against the virus.

He described the epidemiological situation in the Sultanate as “reassuring”, but urged citizens and residents to abide by precautionary measures against the virus.

The virus is developing new variants in European countries, Dr. Ahmed warned, noting that the third dose will be given to frontline workers and patients suffering from chronic diseases.

The minister said vaccine boosters are necessary for those suffering from chronic diseases and those who received treatments that weakened their immunity, including cancer and HIV patients.

Saidi said that the Health Ministry’s Technical Team set standards for administering the third dose of COVID-19 vaccination after six months from the second dose due to the decline in antibodies.

The decision to ban group events is still valid, said the minister, who urged concerned officials to take the necessary action in this regard as defined by the Supreme Committee.

The minister pointed out that the Supreme Committee is following up the situation locally, regionally, and internationally due to concerns of a probable new wave of infection.



Netanyahu Says Israel Is Establishing a New Security Corridor across Gaza

An internally displaced Palestinian walks at the site of a UN clinic following an Israeli airstrike, in the Jabalia refugee camp, northern Gaza Strip, 02 April 2025. (EPA)
An internally displaced Palestinian walks at the site of a UN clinic following an Israeli airstrike, in the Jabalia refugee camp, northern Gaza Strip, 02 April 2025. (EPA)
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Netanyahu Says Israel Is Establishing a New Security Corridor across Gaza

An internally displaced Palestinian walks at the site of a UN clinic following an Israeli airstrike, in the Jabalia refugee camp, northern Gaza Strip, 02 April 2025. (EPA)
An internally displaced Palestinian walks at the site of a UN clinic following an Israeli airstrike, in the Jabalia refugee camp, northern Gaza Strip, 02 April 2025. (EPA)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel is establishing a new security corridor across the Gaza Strip.

In a statement on Wednesday, he described it as the Morag corridor, using the name of a Jewish settlement that once stood between Rafah and Khan Younis, suggesting it would run between the two southern cities.

His comments came as Palestinian officials at hospitals inside Gaza said Israeli strikes overnight and into Wednesday had killed more than 40 people, nearly a dozen of them children.

The Israeli government has long maintained a buffer zone just inside Gaza along its security fence and has greatly expanded since the war against Hamas began in 2023. Israel says the buffer zone is needed for its security, while Palestinians view it as a land grab that further shrinks the narrow coastal territory, home to around 2 million people.