Sunday 27 / October / 2024
Muscat: People going to government offices and public places are required to flash their phones to show proof of vaccination before being allowed to enter.
With vaccine certificates uploaded to the Tarassud+ COVID-19 monitoring app, people accessing these areas had to take out their smartphones to show when they had been vaccinated, and how many doses they have been given.
Under decisions made by the Supreme Committee, from 1 September, only people who have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine will be allowed to enter these areas, as well as access public transport.
Furthermore, those who do not get their second vaccine dose before October 15 will be refused entry into such facilities. Supermarkets, restaurants and companies have already begun asking people to produce their ID and proof of vaccination at the entrance.
Many Omanis and expatriates have shared their experiences over the new decisions, which have been drawn up to stop the spread of COVID-19 in the country.
“I feel safer going back-to-school shopping with my kids,” said Abigail, a British national employed as a teacher.
Zain Saleh, an interior designer, said her company had stationed staff near the door to check peoples’ vaccination status, adding, “I felt like I was at the airport, because I had to go through so much security at my company.”
Hamed Issa, an Omani national, said in this context, “My coach in the gym welcomes me with a water bottle every day, but yesterday, he asked me for a vaccine certificate.”
“This morning, it took me longer to get a loaf of bread,” recalled Amar Bajaj. “The queue to check the vaccination certificate was too long,” while expat Mark White added: “There was a long queue I had to stand in before entering the mall.”
Some people faced teething troubles with getting through the new vaccination protocols.
Maitha Al Amri, explained that she had registered on the Tarassud+ app using her father’s number, when she had been vaccinated under her own name. “I registered on the Tarassud+ application using my father’s number, but I couldn’t show my vaccination certificate because it was linked to my number,” she revealed.
Mohammed Al Shukaili, however, said that the staff at the supermarket were a little bit confused over whether only fully vaccinated people were allowed in.
“Because of this, at the cash counters, it seemed like there wasn’t a soul to be seen,” he said.
As per the new regulations, each government or private organisation is required to set up a process through which they can regulate the entry of people onto their premises.
Those found guilty of not following these updated procedures will be dealt with accordingly.
