After a span of almost six months and for others even more, expatriates are making their way back to Oman to resume their work.
While the ticket cost has been a concern requiring many to delay their return until price eases down to normalcy, many are still unsure what is required as they make their comebacks. For example, some of the passengers had booked their return flight but that rate has to be now topped up with the current price of a ticket prevailing in the market.
As for the first arrivals, if the journey had been a relief to get back to work, now there are few more regulations that one has to abide by while returning to Oman.
Here are some of the points to bear in mind before embarking on the journey.
Koshy Samuel arrived on the very first day of opening up the flow of international flights.
“What people must remember is to print all the documents and keep in hand. This will definitely ease the process,” he said.
1. Vaccination certificate.
2. RT-PCR certificate stating negative result Covid-19.
3. Insurance coverage.
4. E Mushrif registration.
5. Documents with QR code.
6. Carry in hand printed versions of the documents.
“Lot of people forget to register on E Musharif prior to the departure and this results in long lines at the airport. Some of the passengers who had been stranded for more than six months may not be able to use the electronic gate using the residence card,” explained Sreekumar Nair.
According to the passengers who have arrived, it is best to have certificates with QR codes. The other difficulty is that most people are not aware of E Musharif registration.
“One must have an Oman sim card to receive the OTP for the registration. The payment has to be done in Omani Rials and the amount is RO 3, so in other words one has to use an Oman bank card and in order to do that we require OTP and to receive it we must have an Oman sim card,” Koshy pointed out.
He added that upon arrival it is best to present a printed copy of E Musharif registration or have it on the mobile phone and if that is the case, then the mobile phone should be activated.
Another way to register for E Musharif is with the help of family or friends residing in Oman. The details can be scanned through QR code.
Another problem noted was in some areas the PCR results are stated in writing. This is not being accepted as per the passengers. The PCR test results ought to have QR codes.
The passengers who arrived in the beginning were not asked about the insurance but now insurance is an important factor in the checklist. We asked an insurance expert the current status.
Dr J Retnakumar, Chairman of the Technical Committee for Life and Medical Insurance under Oman Insurance Association, confirmed that it is mandatory to have Covid-19 insurance to all passengers arriving in Oman. To the query, from where the passengers have to take the policy – country of origin or destination, he said, “One can take either in the country of origin or through travel agents.”
The period of insurance required as per mandatory needs and cost of the insurance generally is for the period of travel, “We offer a maximum 30 days,” said the insurance expert.
Another question that has been asked is whether it is mandatory to have separate Covid-19 insurance, if the resident is already covered under a valid medical insurance policy issued in Oman? He replied that there is no need to have separate covid-19 insurance, “But the document must specify the name of insured and Covid-19 coverage in the policy.”
So a person whether a traveler or resident card holder can take Covid insurance either from the country of origin or through travel agents.
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