Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman has allowed entry for Indians who hold residency permits and have received both the doses of vaccination against COVID-19. The decision will come into effect from September 1 onwards.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of the Sultanate also announced that those who are eligible for visa on arrival will be allowed to enter the country.
No announcement has been made regarding the entry of those holding other visas.
However, the Sultanate authorities have not dispelled reports that those who have recovered from COVID-19 could travel without vaccination if they submitted the necessary documents/certificates.
The relaxation in the entry rules that was imposed on April 24 is likely to be a relief for hundreds of expatriates including Kerlaites.
The guidelines
» Air passengers are required to present vaccination certificate (AstraZeneca/ Covishield, Pfizer, Sputnik, Sinovac) with a QR code. The last dose should have been taken at least 14 days before the travel.
» A negative RT-PCR test report with QR code is also needed. The test should have been done 72 hours prior to arrival in Oman. In case of flights longer than 8 hours, the test should have been conducted within 96 hours.
» The travellers should register on the Tarassud app along with the certificates. (Tarassud app provides information on current infectious diseases to all nationals and foreign residents of the Sultanate of Oman.)
» The fee for the RT-PCR test that will be conducted at the airport in Oman should be paid in advance. The test costs 19 riyal (Rs 3,658) and 6 riyal (around Rs 1,155) for the tracking bracelet that has to be worn during the quarantine period.
» If an incoming air passenger is found positive during the test done at the airport in Oman, 10 days of mandatory isolation ensue.
» Those who have recovered from COVID-19 or passengers who have tested negative in the test conducted at the Muscat airport need not undergo isolation if they produce the certificate of quarantine.
Wait on for flights to Kuwait
Kuwait City: The date for resuming direct flights from India to Kuwait hasn’t been confirmed yet. There is a lack of clarity on the pandemic guidelines. Besides, no consensus has been reached regarding the number of daily passengers who could enter Kuwait. Moreover, the number of passengers from each country and the number of travellers to be allowed for each airline company too should be decided.
Reports say the Health Ministry of Kuwait isn’t keen to allow the entry of passengers from countries where the pandemic situation continues to worsen.
