Indian expats welcome waiver of PCR tests
Published: 11:02 AM,Feb 15,2022 | EDITED : 05:02 PM,Feb 15,2022
Indian expatriates have welcomed the waiver of mandatory RT-PCR tests for all fully vaccinated flying into the country from the Sultanate.
Starting Monday, the Indian government had scrapped the mandatory pre-travel RT-PCR test, valid for 72-hours before departure, for passengers arriving from over 80 countries, including the Sultanate of Oman.
With PCR tests costing around RO 8 to RO 12 per person (excluding RO 5 for the Ministry of Health stamp), the new decision is a big reprieve to passengers traveling with families. India had demanded PCR tests also for children prior to this rule.
'It was not just about spending around RO 50-60 per family, but also the nervousness of being tested positive and or delaying the travel date,' said Ramprakash Menon, who had to change the ticket after one of his family members tested positive last year.
Travel agents also confirmed that getting refunds from airlines or rebooking to a new date can be a costly affair these days if the PCR results turn out to be positive.
'It was surprising that India had PCR tests even for children above five, who were generally exempted by many countries, including the Sultanate of Oman,' Grace John, a healthcare worker, said.
While the need for a mandatory seven-day home quarantine has been waived as per the new guidelines, all travelers must submit complete information in a self-declaration form on the Air Suvidha portal before the scheduled travel, including the last 14 days travel details. They should also upload the vaccine certificate.
Airlines will allow boarding by only those passengers who have filled the form on the Air Suvidha portal.
PCR tests are still mandatory even for fully vaccinated travelers coming into the Sultanate of Oman.
@vinod_nair
Starting Monday, the Indian government had scrapped the mandatory pre-travel RT-PCR test, valid for 72-hours before departure, for passengers arriving from over 80 countries, including the Sultanate of Oman.
With PCR tests costing around RO 8 to RO 12 per person (excluding RO 5 for the Ministry of Health stamp), the new decision is a big reprieve to passengers traveling with families. India had demanded PCR tests also for children prior to this rule.
'It was not just about spending around RO 50-60 per family, but also the nervousness of being tested positive and or delaying the travel date,' said Ramprakash Menon, who had to change the ticket after one of his family members tested positive last year.
Travel agents also confirmed that getting refunds from airlines or rebooking to a new date can be a costly affair these days if the PCR results turn out to be positive.
'It was surprising that India had PCR tests even for children above five, who were generally exempted by many countries, including the Sultanate of Oman,' Grace John, a healthcare worker, said.
While the need for a mandatory seven-day home quarantine has been waived as per the new guidelines, all travelers must submit complete information in a self-declaration form on the Air Suvidha portal before the scheduled travel, including the last 14 days travel details. They should also upload the vaccine certificate.
Airlines will allow boarding by only those passengers who have filled the form on the Air Suvidha portal.
PCR tests are still mandatory even for fully vaccinated travelers coming into the Sultanate of Oman.
@vinod_nair