Oman has mandated pre-booking for 7-days institutional quarantine before arrival through Sahala platform.
The Sahala is a special online system under Registration Form - eMushrif, which was initiated by the Relief and Shelter Sector of the Ministry of Social Development for registration of individuals entering the Sultanate.
Authorities advised all airlines to ensure that all the passengers are holding a confirmed booking via the Sahala platform from Monday (March 29). The option of hotel booking will be available only after passengers fill out a 'Traveller Registration Form' through Registration Form - eMushrif, which includes information about hotels registered under the Ministry of Social Development in each governorate.
Travellers should also present a valid flight ticket and travel document such as passport or Omani National ID or Omani residency card. Payment has to be done online and after providing information such as the number of senior passengers and children, check-in time and governorate, daily charges options will be available. The rates range below 15 riyals, from 16 – 25, 26 - 35, 36 - 45, and from 46 - 55.
Failure to register in Sahala or not activating the monitoring device provided upon entry will be levied a fine of OMR2,000 (US$5,200).
However, diplomats and their families, those aged below the age of 16 and above 60 are exempted from the institutional quarantine but must home quarantine for a week.
Meanwhile, authorities have tightened measures such as being charged with penalties or being scrapped off permit, in case of violations.
Depending on the sort of defilements, which includes allowing those quarantined to leave the hotel or enter other rooms and not maintaining cleanliness, will be penalized, OMR 1,000 and OMR 500 respectively.
Oman has currently imposed partial lockdown from 8PM to 5AM until April 8. As part of taking a series of comprehensive measures to curb the spread of coronavirus, the Supreme Committee has announced closing of all commercial activities and a ban on vehicles and people stepping out during the curfew. Schools will continue remote learning for students until further notice, state-run ONA reported.