This week's travel warning: 16 March

This evening's travel warning from the Muscat Consulate includes new advisory for Ibri, which is south of Sohar and about 200 km southwest from where I live. I hope that my Ibri students and their families are okay.

The U.S. Embassy Advises U.S. Citizens to Avoid Travel to Ibri, Exercise Caution in Sohar, and Avoid Demonstrations throughout the Sultanate of Oman
The U.S. Embassy advises U.S. citizens in Oman to avoid non-essential travel to Ibri due to recent demonstrations. Media reports recently indicated that protestors have damaged buildings and vehicles.

The U.S. Embassy also continues to advise U.S. citizens to use caution when transiting or visiting Sohar. The roads leading to and from Sohar are periodically re-routed because of demonstrations and labor unrest.

Spontaneous and/or planned demonstrations take place in Oman from time to time in response to world events or local developments. We remind U.S. citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. U.S. citizens are therefore urged to avoid the areas of demonstrations if possible, and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations. U.S. citizens should review their personal plans, stay current with media coverage of local events, and be aware of their surroundings at all times.

For the latest security information, U.S. citizens living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet website, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, as well as the Country Specific Information for Oman can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

U.S. citizens living or traveling in Oman are encouraged to enroll in the Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) so that they can obtain updated information on travel and security. U.S. citizens without Internet access may enroll directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By enrolling, U.S. citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency. For additional information, please refer to "A Safe Trip Abroad".