Oman Air issues travel advisory for guests flying to Tanzania

Oman Monday 27/May/2019 19:40 PM
By: Times News Service
Oman Air issues travel advisory for guests flying to Tanzania

Muscat: Oman Air, the national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman, issued a travel advisory to guests flying to Tanzanian destinations of Dar Es Salaam and Zanzibar.
The advisory comes in the wake of the Tanzanian government’s ban on plastic from June 1.
All passengers flying to these destinations are informed of the ban on plastic by the Tanzanian government.
The government has issued a notice banning ‘import, export, manufacture, sale, supply and use of all plastic bags on mainland Tanzania’.
The notice further said: “The government does not intend visitors to Tanzania find their stay unpleasant as we enforce the ban. However, the government expects that, in appreciation of the imperative to protect the environment and keep our country clean and beautiful, our visitors will accept minor inconveniences resulting from this.”
The ban applies to all plastic bags, regardless of their thickness. However plastic or plastic packaging for medical services, industrial products, construction industry, agriculture sector, foodstuff, sanitary and waste management are not prohibited.
Visitors to Tanzania are advised to avoid carrying plastic bags or items in plastic bags in the suitcase or hand luggage before embarking on visit to this country. A special desk will be designated at all entry points for surrender of plastic bags that visitors maybe bringing to Tanzania.
Plastic items known as Ziploc bags that are specifically used to carry toiletries will be permitted as they are expected to remain in the permanent possession of visitors and are not expected to be disposed of in the country.
Hefty fines
To date, 34 African countries have legislated to control plastic bag usage through bans or taxes. The ban effective from June 1 will be enforced throughout the country and tourists are being warmed not to carry them as it might attract hefty fines and penalties.