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Covid-19 LIVE: OMR 45 for PCR tests in private hospitals, says Minister

Oman Thursday 23/July/2020 11:35 AM
By: Times News Service
Covid-19 LIVE: OMR 45 for PCR tests in private hospitals, says Minister

Muscat: The Supreme Committee members are holding the 13th press conference to talk about the latest updates on coronavirus outbreak in the country.

Following are the highlights from the press conference:

1- Minister of Health: We took the decision to lockdown governorates due to rising number of cases.

2- Minister of Health: We don't know when the education will resume and also we don't know when the vaccine will be available.

3- Minister of Health: The number of hospitalized cases remains low, mortality is low and the health sector in the Sultanate remains vigilant.

4- Undersecretary of MOCI: Trucks with a load of 3 tons and carrying products such as milk , vegetables, and meats ..ets and fuel and cooking gas trucks will be allowed to cross only through checkpoints from 7pm to 6am.

5- Minister of Health: Number of Omanis infected with coronavirus reached 82%.

6- Undersecretary of MOCI: Factories can only operate during the day time and those to wants to operate 24 hours should obtain special permits from Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

7- Royal Oman Police: During the lockdown period the movement will not allowed if it is walking or any other means of transport.

8- Royal Oman Police: OMR 100 fine for violating lockdown decisions.

9- Minister of Transport: Residents can return to Oman after obtaining a permission from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the airline or their affiliated institutions.

10- Minister of Health: Any traveller coming to Oman must undergo 14 day qurentine.

11- Minister of Transport: Workers from other governorates are not allowed to cross the checkpoints. Those within the governorates can go to workplaces.

12- Sultan’s Armed Forces: Total closure means closure of all crossing points in all governorates of the Sultanate.

13- Dr. Saif Al Abri: The youngest death recorded in Sultanate is of a 22 year old boy. We have to protect the children and not to let them expose to the infection, especially those who suffer from chronic diseases. 4583 children in age between one month to 14 years old have been infected with the virus.

14- Minister of Transport: Those who have flights after 7pm during the lockdown can go to the airport by presenting flight tickets and passports.

15- Sultan’s Armed Forces: There are no exceptions to crossing through checkpoints and those who need to cross must bring produce permission letter with them.

16- Minister of Health: 4,600 people have been tested during the first stage of the National Survey for Covid-19.

17- Al Asmi: For expats who stayed outside the country for more than six months because of the airport closure will be allowed to return according to special permissions obtained from the concerned authorities.

18- Minister of Health: We have started steps to secure the vaccine for Oman when it is available.

19- Minister of Health: We hope to participate in the clinical trials of vaccines so that we have priority in purchasing them.

20- Dr. Saif Al Abri: 20,000 bracelet have been used to track the cases.

21- Minister of Health: During the reign of Sultan Qaboos bin Said, may God rest his soul, the Sultanate supported efforts to develop vaccines with $ 3 million.

22- Minister of Transport: Flights and ferries will continue to Musandam.

23- Minister of Health: PCR tests should not cost more than OMR 45 and antibody test should not be charged beyond OMR 14 in private hospitals.

24- Minister of Health: We hope everyone’s support during this lockdown and we hope we need not extend this after August 8.