Tourists in Oman are exempted from quarantine and pre-flight PCR tests

The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism has announced that tourists are exempted from quarantine and polymerase testing (PCR) before coming to the Sultanate.

A statement issued online by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism said, ”The ministry would like to inform you that, based on the instructions received from the Ministry of Health, it has become possible to exempt tourists from quarantine and polymerase testing (PCR) before coming to the Sultanate, provided they adhere to the procedures that include a compulsory international health insurance that covers the costs of treatment of COVID-19 disease during their residency in the Sultanate.”

The move follows the Sultanate’s decision allowing citizens from 103 countries to enter Oman for a 10-day stay without a pre- entry visa, complying to the mandatory conditions in this regard.

The ministry said tourists are also exempt from pre-arrival quarantine. The new travel rule is based on the instructions received from the Ministry of Health.

“It has become possible to exempt tourists from quarantine and PCR tests before coming to the Sultanate, provided they adhere to the usually followed measures in this regard, including a compulsory international health insurance that covers the costs of COVID-19 treatment of during their stay,” the ministry added.

“Before departing for their travel to the Sultanate, they will also have to register for the polymerase test that will take place on arrival at the Sultanate’s airports on the emushrif.om.covid19 page, and upload the Tarassud Plus program of the Ministry of Health,” the statement added.

Regarding the procedures to be followed, the statement said, ”Prior to booking in a hotel or tourist resort and a flight ticket to return, a polymerase test (PCR) must be done upon arrival in the Sultanate through the airports and a commitment to sanitary isolation in the tourist facility until a negative result appears. As for those coming through the land ports, they are required to present a medical certificate of a negative PCR result that is reported for a period not exceeding 72 hours before entering the Sultanate due to the lack of the required medical examination at the land ports at the current period.

“The period of residency in the Sultanate would have to be less than two weeks and a room or separate place provided for every tourist or family in the place of residence, hotel and resort. The tourist pledges to adhere to the place of residence and not to share rooms or mix until the results of the examination (PCR test) appear, and to not go out for tourism activities except through the tourism company. They are also required to follow the procedures and adhere to the preventive precautionary controls, wearing the mask, hand hygiene, physical distancing and sterilisation.”