COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in Oman (9 April Update)

Can a resident enter the country?

• Yes

• Citizens and residents are allowed to enter.

• Arriving residents should present proof of their accommodation to enter Oman.

Can a foreigner enter the country?

• No

• Foreigners are not allowed to enter Oman. Entry into Oman is restricted to Omani citizens and holders of residence visas issued until 5 April 2021 only.

Is transit allowed through the country?

• No

• Transit is not allowed through Oman.

Is a test required on arrival?

• Yes with exceptions

• All arrivals must complete a pre-registration for a mandatory PCR test on arrival, payment of the OMR25 test fee, and downloading of the Tarassud+ app. Nationals of the following 7 countries are exempted from the online registration requirements: Iran, North Korea, Russia, South Korea, Kenya, Ghana and Nigeria.

• Guests aged 16 years old or younger are exempted from PCR test on arrival and from wearing a tracking bracelet.

Is a test certificate allowed?

• Yes

• Test certificates issued outside Oman are accepted. The certificate must be in Arabic or English.

Test certificate required?

• Yes

• Arriving travellers must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate issued within the last 72 hours before arrival. Some airlines may ask for proof of a PCR test before boarding. Travellers with a diplomatic passport and travellers under 15 years of age are exempt from this requirement.

Is quarantine required on arrival?

• Yes with exceptions

• Travellers arriving in Oman through any border (land, sea, air) are subject to a mandatory 7-day institutional quarantine at their own expense and will be required to wear a tracking bracelet during the isolation period. A second COVID-19 PCR test is required on the eighth day. With a negative result, the traveller can leave quarantine and remove the tracking bracelet.

• Passengers must hold a pre-confirmed hotel reservation at Oman covering the mandatory quarantine period (at least 7 nights). All guests will need to provide proof of a hotel booking for 7 nights or a guarantee letter from their sponsor which specifies details of the arrangements that have been made in accordance with the institutional quarantine requirements.

• Omani citizens arriving in Oman are exempted from the mandatory institutional quarantine but must undergo home-based isolation, together with other procedures applicable to all arrivals. Citizens will not need to provide proof of a hotel booking for 7 nights or a guarantee letter that specifies details of the arrangements being made in accordance with the institutional quarantine requirements. Travellers aged 60 and above and unaccompanied minors aged 18 or younger are exempt from institutional quarantine but should undergo 7 nights home quarantine.

• Passengers arriving in Oman must book accommodation in hotels and institutional isolation via the (Sahala) platform on https://covid19.emushrif.om/. All passengers must confirm the booking prior to check-in to avoid non-acceptance.

• Travellers arriving in Oman for a period shorter than 7 days are not exempt from the isolation requirements. Airlines are required to ensure that there are no travel reservations made to depart Oman before the mandatory quarantine period ends (7 days with negative PCR test result on the 8th day).

• Based on the above restrictions, all incoming travellers will be subject to 7 days of quarantine.

Is a vaccination required?

• No

• A COVID-19 vaccination is not required to enter Oman.

Insurance required?

• Yes

• All foreigners allowed to enter Oman must have a health insurance policy including coverage for COVID-19 for a period of one month from the date of scheduled arrival in Oman. Omani and GCC nationals do not require COVID-19 health insurance.

Entry form required?

• Yes

• Before boarding, travellers will need to complete a traveller registration form and pay for the PCR test performed on arrival. The form can be found here.

Recommended Border App

• Yes

• All travellers arriving in Oman must download the Tarassud+ app prior to departure for Oman.

• Anyone staying in Oman for more than 7 days must download the HMushrif application.

Airline restrictions

• Moderate

• International and domestic commercial flights are operating.

• Entry into Oman is restricted to Omani citizens and residency holders only.

• Flights from the United Kingdom remain suspended until further notice. Cargo flights will not be affected.

• Repatriation flights may be available.

• Anyone departing from Oman and having scheduled flight times during the curfew hours will need to carry the e-ticket to pass through any checkpoints. Only one person accompanying the travellers will be allowed during the curfew hours.

Border restrictions

• Significant

• Land borders will remain closed until further notice. Commercial truck traffic is not affected.

• The Royal Oman Police have resumed issuing visas, including “tourist” eVisas. Travellers can apply for an eVisa at this link. However, effective April 8, 2021, entry into Oman is restricted to Omani citizens and residency holders only.

• Cruise ships are prohibited from docking at Oman's ports.

Curfew restrictions

• Moderate

• There is no curfew in place.

• During the month of Ramadan, expected to begin on 13 April and last until 12 May, a curfew from 21:00-04:00 (local time) will be imposed. During these hours, residents should remain indoors as the movement of people and vehicles will be prohibited.

Social distancing restrictions

• Significant

• All gatherings are banned until further notice.

Internal travel restrictions

• Moderate

• Face masks are mandatory.

• Movement in streets and other public places is allowed during non-curfew hours.

• Public transport services are currently operating.

• There is no restriction on travel within Oman and among governorates.

• Buses and ferries to Musandam and the Wilayat of Masirah are currently available.

Non-essential shops open?

• Yes with exceptions

• Shop and businesses are allowed to resume services subject to curfew measures.

• Shopping malls and meeting halls are open during non-curfew hours.

• All non-essential commercial services remain closed during curfew hours. Essential services will not be affected.

Accommodations open?

• Yes

• Hotels are open.

Restaurants open?

• Yes

• Restaurants must be closed during curfew hours.

Bars and cafes open?

• Yes

• Bars and cafes are open. Cafes must be closed during curfew hours.

Beaches and tourism sites open?

• Yes

• Beaches are open for exercise activities only.

Museums and heritage sites open?

• Yes

• Museums are open subject to curfew measures.

Personal care services open?

• Yes

• Barbershops and beauty salons are open subject to curfew measures.

Places of worship open?

• No with exceptions

• Religious gatherings at mosques will remain banned ahead of the holy month.

Events allowed?

• No with exceptions

• Conferences and other events are suspended.

Masks required in public?

• Yes

• Face masks are mandatory in all public places. People violating this restriction could be fined.

Other

• Recreation places and parks are closed until further notice.

• Schools have reopened.

• Government offices are open with reduced staffing capacity.

• Companies are allowed to resume services at a reduced capacity.

The COVID-19 epidemic is constantly changing worldwide. Travel and border restrictions may change with little or no notice. Airlines may have their own requirements for testing, masking, and distancing. It is recommended that travellers carry a supply of face masks since the requirement can vary by location. It is recommended that travellers practice social distancing and maintain a 6-foot distance other individuals and avoid crowded areas. Check with your airline, booking agent, or country's embassy for information on your specific travel plans.