MUSCAT: The Supreme Committee tasked with tackling developments resulting from coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic on Sunday decided to make two-dose vaccination as a prerequisite for entry of non-Omanis aged 18 years and above to the Sultanate of Oman from all checkpoints, and to allow entry to only those arriving passengers who show negative PCR test issued within a maximum of 72 hours.
The Committee also cancelled a previous decision that bans entry from countries South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Eswatini and Mozambique.
The decision comes into effect from the date of publication of the statement till January 31, 2022.
The Supreme Committee’s meeting, held under the chairmanship of Sayyid Hamoud bin Faisal al Busaidy, Minister of Interior, also reviewed updates about the pandemic, measures of protection against the disease and ways of curbing its spread and addressing its different impacts.
The committee studied the epidemiological situation of Covid-19 locally and internationally in light of the latest data that points to a spate in confirmed lab cases in many countries around the world, including the Sultanate of Oman.
The committee took note of instances of non-abidance with the precautionary measures endorsed by the authorities concerned. To protect members of society against this disease and, to safeguard the Sultanate of Oman health system’s capacity to deal with this disease and other diseases (while at the same time maintaining other health services), the Covid-19 Supreme Committee took the decisions listed below, which apply with effect from date of publication of this statement till January 31, 2022.
Firstly, to apply two-dose vaccination as a prerequisite for entry of non-Omanis aged 18 years and above to the Sultanate of Oman from all checkpoints.
Secondly, to allow entry to the Sultanate of Oman only for arriving passengers who show negative PCR test issued within a maximum of 72 hours.
Thirdly, to cancel the decision that bans entry of arrivals from countries listed before, namely: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Eswatini and Mozambique.
Covid-19 Supreme Committee reaffirms that vaccination remains as a condition to enter public and private establishments.
It stresses that all precautionary measures have to be applied: prohibiting people who suffer from pulmonary diseases from entering workplaces and applying all precautionary measures within and outside workplaces, including wearing face masks properly, observing physical distance, keeping the hands clean, avoiding unauthorised assembling and crowdedness and physical greeting like shaking hands and embracing. — ONA
