No more MoH registration for inbound passengers to Oman

Passengers travelling to the Sultanate of Oman do not have to register anymore at www.travel.moh.gov.om, said the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) sources, based on the decisions of the Supreme Committee for Covid 19.

However, all arriving passengers aged 18 and above, both visitors and those holding resident cards, should have an insurance policy against the Covid-19 and a negative PCR report.

"All passengers aged 18 and above travelling to the Sultanate of Oman are required to present a negative result report of the Covid-19 PCR test upon arrival or within 24 hours after arrival and a health insurance covering the Covid-19," a circular from the CAA said.

Additionally, all passengers aged 18 and above, travelling to the Sultanate of Oman, must present a vaccination certificate indicating that they have received at least 2 doses of the covid-19 vaccine approved by the country.

The travel and tourism sector, which was badly affected during the pandemic, hailed the move calling it 'a highly proactive step towards supporting the ailing sectors'.

"Scrapping of the online registration will ease the travel formalities. The easier and relaxed rules are better for more business coming to the country," says Waheed Ibrahim al Balushi, Regional Manager- Ground Operations, Salam Air.

Sunil D'Souza, CEO of Travel City Group, feels that the travel sector would benefit manifold from this move while ticket prices would reduce as more people would travel.

"Removal of these impediments would enhance the travel manifold. Also, with more people travelling, average ticket prices would drop. It is expected that more countries would lift travel bans, PCR tests and other restrictions that would, in my opinion, help us surpass 2019 figures in 2022 itself," said D'Souza.

"This move by the Sultanate of Oman will also allow travellers to plan their trips well in advance without any hassle as it helps their overall travel experience. Additionally, business travel will have a new lease of life as it gives flexibility for immediate travel," said Venkat, another travel expert.

Prem Colaco, representative of Indigo Air, says it will help individuals to lessen the pre-arrival formalities.

"This e-mushrif or MoH pre-arrival registration is to track the incoming passengers flow on a daily basis with the Covid-19 formalities. I don't think it will boost tourism. But, it will help individuals lessen pre-arrival formalities while coming into Oman for business, leisure or employment."