SC LIVE: MoH to intensify expat vaccination drive

Muscat: Dr. Ahmed Al Saidi, Minister of Health, on Thursday said it is not recommended to take a third dose of the covid-19 vaccine. He was addressing the media during the 26th press conference of the Supreme Committee.

HIGHLIGHTS

Dr. Ahmed Al Saidi, Minister of Health

1. Two deaths and 101 new infections with the Coronavirus were recorded in the last 24 hours, and the recovery rate increased to 96.5%
2. The number of Covid-19 doses that the Sultanate has reserved so far exceeds 8,570,000 doses
3. Vaccines prevent the incision of the disease, reduce the rate of hospitalization and reduce deaths, but they do not prevent transmission of the virus.
4. There are countries where the vaccination rate has reached 80%, but the infections have returned
5. It is not recommended to take the third dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, according to the WHO
6. After some countries decided to give the vaccine to those aged 6 years and over, we have decided to reserve additional doses.
7. A significant decrease in the number of inpatients and those in ICUs. Precautionary measures are still needed despite the high rate of vaccination
8. The number of Covid-19 doses that the Sultanate has received so far is over 3,950,000
9. Vaccination is not but it is our duty to protect mandatory the society
10. Eight vaccines were approved in the Sultanate, including Pfizer, Moderna, Sinovac, and Sputnik
11. We expect every Omani citizen to receive the second dose by mid-September, and accordingly, we can start implementing the measures issued by the Supreme Committee
12. Any unvaccinated citizen abroad will be allowed to enter the Sultanate, but he has to adhere to the approved health procedures.
13. 100% attendance in all government sectors and institutions starting from the first of September
14. Forged Covid PCR certificates are one of the reasons for insisting on tests on arrival and at the end of the quarantine period.
15. There will be a meeting soon on exempting the children of GCC from PCR tests, if they have received two doses of vaccines approved in these countries.
16. Johnson & Johnson’s single-dose vaccine is approved in the Sultanate, and a second dose will not be required for those who received it abroad

Dr Madiha al Shaibaniyah, Minister of Education

1. The Ministry will continue to evaluate the school operating system in line with the latest epidemiological situation to ensure the safety of our students, teaching and administrative staff.

Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Maamari, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Awqaf

1. We have taken a gradual approach for the return of the practice of religious rites, and we confirm our readiness for decisions related to mosques

2. The Supreme Committee will issue a decision on the return of Friday prayer during its meeting next week.

Naif Ali Al Abri, Head of the Civil Aviation Authority

1. The Civil Aviation Authority has been making efforts to ensure the gradual and safe return of regular flights to the Sultanate since October 2020

Dr Saif Al-Abri (Ministry of Health)

1.There is a study to open social, economic and cultural activities, and the Supreme Committee will issue a decision next week

​​​​​​​2. Oman has decided to open the land borders from the first of September, while adhering to the controls announced by the Supreme Committee, including conducting a Covid-19 examination before arrival.

​​​​​​​3. Residents outside the Sultanate who took one dose of the vaccine, which is not registered with the Sultanate, should know that it is not the responsibility of the Sultanate to give them the second dose because this type of vaccine does not exist.

4. Obtaining at least one dose of vaccine approved in the Sultanate will be mandatory for the renewal of residency visa of expatriates ​​​​​​​

Major General Abdullah Al Harthy (Royal Oman Police)

1. 1. All visas issued since the start of 2021 will be extended until the end of the year, and no fees will be imposed for the extension. Anyone who is outside the Sultanate can enter the ROP website and will find that these visas have been extended
2. Expatriates who have valid residencies, but they are outside the Sultanate for more than 6 months will be handled, but at the request of the employer (sponsor). There are facilities in place to address this issue.
3. We will be starting to issuee all types of visas from September 1, but the conditions of entry to the Sultanate related to receiving the two doses of the vaccine and other procedures according to CAA will be applied.