Saturday 11 / May / 2024
Muscat: Arrivals to Oman from seven countries will not need to pre-pay their online registration fee for a PCR test on arrival, but will still need to sign up for one, and pay for it when they land in the country.
"The following seven countries are exempted from online payment: Iran, North Korea, Russia, South Korea, Kenya, Ghana, and Nigeria,” said Oman Airports in a statement. “However, pre-registration is still required.”
Children below the age of 16 – if travelling unaccompanied – are exempt from institutional quarantine, which is otherwise mandatory for others coming into the country. However, they are still required to isolate at home for a week.
The country’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and Oman Airports, in keeping with guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health, recently published a circular on the procedures different categories of passengers needed to follow both before leaving for Oman, and on and after arrival into the country.
Minors who are travelling with family members, though, are required to stay in institutional quarantine for seven days on arrival. Children also do not need to take a PCR test – either on arrival, or after eight days – and do not need to wear a tracking bracelet. Adolescents between the ages of 16 and 18, however, do still need to take both tests, as well as submit a negative PCR result taken at least 72 hours prior to their departure.
Expatriates and their children must also carry the required COVID-19 health insurance, although this does not apply to citizens from the other Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
“Passengers aged 60 and above, and sick passengers with an approved certificate from the Ministry of Health are exempt from institutional quarantine,” added the circular. This also includes a maximum of one companion for males, and up to two for women.”
Both groups of people, though, are still mandated to take both sets of PCR tests: on arrival, and after eight days. Those who arrive into the country with a letter from their sponsor that confirms they will be accommodated in quarantine facilities approved by the Ministry of Health can also skip hotel bookings, provided they agree to isolate in these centres.
Regular passengers are required to hold a confirmed hotel booking on the Sahala registration platform, a negative PCR test, health insurance (where required), an online registration receipt for their COVID test on arrival, and must agree to follow all preventive measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus once they arrive in the country.
Airports in the country will continue to function as normal, added Oman Airports. “We would also like to confirm that operations at Muscat International Airport, Salalah, Duqm, and oilfield airports will continue until any further updates,” added the organisation.
