Muscat: With images of persistent drizzle and misty verdant mountains of Dhofar region making the rounds on social media, going to Salalah for the upcoming Eid holidays would feature prominently with many citizens and residents living in other governorates of Oman. However, without a vaccination jab, they cannot enter the southern city.
Oman’s Supreme Committee yesterday confirmed those citizens and residents who wish to visit Salalah must be vaccinated with at least one jab of the COVID-19 vaccine, and this is applicable to all those above 18. The decision, which will take effect from July 9, 5pm will stay in place until further notice.
International travellers should have completed their two jabs of COVID-19 vaccine to enter Salalah. The monsoon season of Salalah from July till early September attracts people from across the region, apart from people staying in other parts of Oman.
Owning a second home in Salalah has become a modern-day trend among many Omanis residing in other cities. Last year’s plummeting real estate prices further prompted many to invest in homes in the Dhofar region, mainly in Salalah City. The Khareef season sees the city frequented by people who make a beeline to their second home.
Another common trend that is seen is the local population renting their spare homes or apartments for one or two months for friends and relatives during the Khareef season.
