The Philippine government has lifted the travel ban on Oman, UAE, and 8 other countries effective September 6, 2021, by virtue of the IATF resolution no. 136 which can be found from this link (https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/downloads/2021/07jul/20210903-IATF-136-RRD.pdf).
Since then, OFWs in Oman expresses their excitement to finally fly back home to the Philippines to have their long-overdue vacation because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Others, who need to fly back home are those kababayans who have lost their jobs, finish contracts, and other matters.
The ticket is ready, your bags are packed ready to go, wait that’s a lyric from the famous song right? Anyway, let’s continue.
Before heading to the airport, make sure you know the following and have finished answering the online forms, submitted online, or installing the app.
If you are traveling as OFWs with your accompanying qualified dependents, please register with the OFW Assistance Information System or OASIS via this link: https://oasis.owwa.gov.ph/. Not applicable for Non-OFWs.
Next, is to fill-up the online health declaration registration called Onehealthpass.
“The OneHealthPass is an online platform that aims to promote the convenient and seamless movement of international travelers from departure from the country of origin to arrival at the local government unit of destination.”
Visit this link for the Onehealthpass: https://www.onehealthpass.com.ph/e-HDC/
You can watch the videos on how to fill out the online form from this link – https://onehealthpass.com.ph/videos.html?
Regarding the RT-PCR test, for OFWs and their accompanying qualified dependents, it will be care of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) while for the non-OFWs, you need to register for your RT-PCR via https://www.padlab.ph/DLS/eCIF
You are to download the TRAZE app on your mobile phone and register for contact tracing: https://www.traze.ph/download available for iOS, Android, Huawei users.
Reference of the above information is from the Advisory of Philippine Embassy dated September 4, 2021 – https://muscatpe.dfa.gov.ph/newsroom/news-and-press-releases/1328-pr-92-2021
How long is the quarantine? Kindly check this twitter post from OWWA Admin Hans Cacdac.
A summary po of current quarantine protocols for OFWs: pic.twitter.com/hLjFFszn2Q
— hans leo j. cacdac (@HansLeoCacdac) September 7, 2021
For Non-OFWs, you can book your DOH-BOQ and DOT accredited quarantine facility. The list can be found here: https://quarantine.doh.gov.ph/quarantine-facilities/
You need to take note also that “Vaccination is mandatory to access the airport premises but does not apply to travelers. The requirements for travelers will be limited to the travel requirements of your destination.”
Oman Airports would like to emphasize that:
“Vaccination” is mandatory to access the Airports premises but does not apply to travelers. The requirements for Travelers to the access of Airport premises will be limited to the travel requirements of your destination. https://t.co/eU2QqvtFaa pic.twitter.com/Tkk0x3tkXN
— مطارات عُمان (@OmanAirports) August 31, 2021
Lastly, I suggest to kindly read from the airlines’ website their updated travel protocols. To give you a start, please refer below:
- Omanair, you can check from this link: https://www.omanair.com/om/en/travel-advisory-covid-19-coronavirus-outbreak
- Emirates: https://www.emirates.com/om/english/help/covid-19/travel-requirements-by-destination/?#81339
- Etihad: https://www.etihad.com/en/travel-updates/all-destinations-travel-guides
- GulfAir: https://www.gulfair.com/covid19