Guidelines for air travel as international flights resumes in Oman

Oman has announced that all passengers travelling to the country must have Covid-19 insurance that will cover the costs of at least 30 days of treatment.

Issued by the Civil Aviation Authority, the guidelines to be followed by all passengers were revealed ahead of the planned reopening of airports in the country on October 1.

“These precautionary measures at Oman’s airports were previously applied for unscheduled flights. Starting 1 October, they will be in place across all scheduled flights,” an Oman Airports official told Times of Oman.

“The temperature of all arrivals will be checked, and those who display the symptoms of the coronavirus will be subject to further examination.

“Transfer passengers must abide by the guidelines issued, both while on board and at the airport,” he added.

“Incoming passengers must submit all documents required of them, as well as follow the requests made of them by the authorities, which could include taking a medical examination or entering quarantine.

“Physical distancing must be maintained in all areas in the airport, and all those who enter the country are required to register on the Tarassud Plus COVID monitoring app prior to their arrival.”

Non-Omanis are not allowed entry into the country without a travel permit issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, based on applications put forward by their sponsors, or the country’s national carriers, Oman Air and SalamAir, the only two airlines which can currently carry transfer passengers.

The guidelines also ensure that all arrivals be subject to PCR tests and a mandatory 14-day quarantine wearing a tracking bracelet.

“Foreign nationals coming to the Sultanate must show confirmation of reserved accommodation, and pay for their 14-day stay in institutional quarantine,” the Civil Aviation Authority said, adding that aircrew are currently exempt from institutional quarantine, but must follow the guidelines issued for cabin crew by the Ministry of Health, while foreign diplomats can undergo home quarantine for the aforementioned period.

To avoid congestion at security checkpoints, passengers are also only allowed to bring one handbag and one duty free bag each.

“All travellers must adhere to wearing masks in the correct manner upon arrival at the airport and for the duration of the flight,” added the CAA.

“Non-travellers, those who drop passengers to the airport, and members of the public are not allowed to enter the departures building, with the exception of an escort for people with special needs.

“Omanis in the country who wish to travel overseas must have health insurance that provides coverage for COVID-19, and all travellers will be bound by the rules of their destination country. Nationals and residents can leave the country without the issuance of a travel permit.”

As part of the country’s measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus, only travellers will be allowed into the departure terminal with one escort for each passenger with special needs. Passengers have to show up in the airport at least three hours or four hours at most before the flight. Any passenger suffering from COVID-19 or its symptoms, defined by the Health Ministry, will not be allowed to enter the airport.

Passengers holding employment visa exceeding 180 days stay outside Oman must have clearances from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) and the Directorate General of Passports and Residency.

This article originally appeared on:

https://timesofoman.com/article/3019143/oman/coming-to-oman-buy-that-covid-19-insurance-first
http://www.gdnonline.com/Details/872028/Passengers-to-Oman-need-mandatory-Covid-19-insurance