Muscat: Oman’s Supreme Committee in charge of tackling COVID–19 has said that it received reports of quarantine breach by citizens as well as expatriates. In view of the reports received, the Committee has decided to slap a fine of RO1,000 on the offenders. It noted that some have been found removing their tracking bracelet, while others skipped the post-quarantine test or failed to return the bracelet.
Entry to Oman requires visitors to undergo a compulsory PCR test before arriving into the Sultanate. Even those coming for short visits with duration of less than seven days have to undergo quarantine, as mandated by the Supreme Committee.
The pre-arrival COVID–19 test, bearing a negative certificate, before entering Oman should be done within 72 hours prior to date of boarding the flight. On arrival, the passengers have to undergo another PCR test at the airport, the results of which will be available within 24 hours through the Tarassud app which has to be downloaded with registration done through the app, before arrival in Oman. While citizens, GCC residents and those residents who have health insurance cards are exempted from a health insurance, others must have a health insurance with coverage for COVID-19 treatment. The tracking bracelet provided is to be worn throughout the quarantine period. The bracelet will be removed only after the compulsory PCR test results done on the eighth day comes negative, for those who want to end their quarantine after seven days. If travellers do not wish to take another test on day eight, they can instead quarantine for 14 days and then visit the nearest clinic or heath centre to remove the tracking bracelet.
