Friday 26 / April / 2024
Muscat: People arriving in Oman can now book rooms for hotel quarantine through the Sahala platform, which was launched on Monday to make it easier for those entering isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The platform will be run by the Relief and Shelter Sector of the Ministry of Social Development, in collaboration with other authorities. Under current regulations, arrivals into the country must compulsorily enter institutional quarantine, and are only allowed to board their flights to Oman on presenting a negative PCR test taken up to 96 hours before take-off. Another PCR test is taken on arrival at the airport, while a further test is taken on the 8th day of the isolation period.
Before flying, passengers need to “complete traveller registration and hotel bookings through the Sahala platform, and print the completed traveller registration form (TRF),” said an advisory from eMushrif, the Omani company that has set up the platform and oversees quarantine processes in the country.
Passengers also need to download the Tarassud+ coronavirus monitoring app, and the HMushrif app, which helps track people under quarantine. Passengers can also complete their form on www.covid19.emushrif.om, by selecting the ‘Traveller Registration’ option.
The advisory said: “Make sure you have the following: Your travel document (passport or Omani national ID/Oman residency card), and a debit card or a credit card for online payment. The hotel reservation charge is separate from the registration fee. The registration portal allows you to register for yourself and your accompanying travellers (e.g. family members)
“Please keep a soft or hard copy of your payment receipt, once you have completed the payment,” explained the advisory. “This receipt needs to be presented at your port of entry upon arrival. Results of the COVID-19 PCR test will only be available upon verification of an Omani phone number in this registration form. You may add your phone number later. Otherwise, you can view your results on the Tarassud+ app.”
Passengers exempt from presenting hotel reservations before check in at the airport of departure include foreign diplomats working in the Sultanate, as well as their families, and visiting dignitaries, arrivals aged 18 or under if travelling alone, people aged 60 and above, and aircrew, subject to the precautionary measures of the Ministry of Health.
Sick passengers who need special attention are also exempt from quarantine, provided they submit the attached health form, as are those who plan to spend their isolation period at a private centre accredited by the Relief and Shelter sector, provided they show the authorities their isolation centre code.
Passengers who have not prepaid their registration and hotel costs can do so upon arrival. These forms then need to be handed over to immigration, following which a PCR test must be taken at the airport.
“You will need to be fitted with an HMushrif bracelet that will be paired with your HMushrif mobile app,” said the advisory. “You will be required to quarantine for seven days (if you are exempted from the institutional quarantine, you will still need to self-isolate at home).”
People under quarantine are required to wear their bracelet and retain the mobile phone on which the HMushrif app is downloaded for the entire isolation period. Not doing so will result in a fine and legal action. Those who do experience COVID symptoms can report them through the Tarassud+ app.
“On the 8th day, you’ll be guided to take the PCR test,” said eMushrif. “If the result is positive, the quarantine period is extended for 10 days. If the result is negative, the bracelet will be removed.”
Omani nationals in Muscat can get their bracelets removed at a Ministry of Health centre, while expatriates need to go to an accredited private centre, where a fee might be charged for its removal. Both Omanis and expatriates outside the capital can go to either a government or private health centre, and could be charged a fee as well.
“Please DO NOT remove your HMushrif bracelet on your own, and head to the designated medical centres or private hospitals to have them removed by a healthcare professional,” explained the advisory. “In case the bracelet is self-removed and not returned, expect a fine of up to OMR 1,000 from the Royal Oman Police.”
