Bidding adieu to Covid curbs, Oman is reopening its land, sea and air borders from September 1. Speaking at the Supreme Committee press conference, Dr. Saif Al Abri, Director General of Disease Control at the Ministry of Health said Oman will reopen its land, sea and air borders next month, in accordance with the conditions set by the Supreme Committee.
Yesterday, Saudi Arabia opened entry of expatriates from Pakistan and 19 other countries and from Sept 1, 2021, Oman is also reopening to welcome foreigners, including tourists.
Meanwhile, Dr. Ahmed Al Saidi, Minister of Health said there are discussions to exempt citizens of GCC countries from the PCR examination – for those who received two doses of the vaccinations approved in these countries, provided that the time period for the last dose exceeded two weeks.
During the conference, the Supreme Committee announced vaccination will be mandatory for expatriates to renew their visas.
Dr. Saif Al Abri said expats will have to take at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine in order to renew their visas. “At least one dose of vaccine will be mandatory for expats to renew residency visas,” adding that the administered vaccines must be approved in the Sultanate.
“From October 1, obtaining two doses will be mandatory for citizens and residents, with the continuation of all precautionary measures of physical distancing and wearing a mask,” he noted.
The committee also announced that all visas issued to expats since the beginning of January 2021 will be extended until the end of the year.
Speaking at the Supreme Committee press conference, Major General Abdullah Al Harthy said no extra fees will be imposed for the extension. “All visas issued since the beginning of the year will be extended until the end of the year, and no additional fees will be imposed for the extension”.
According to Al Harthy, expat residents who are stranded outside the country “can extend their visas for additional periods through the Royal Oman Police system,” he said. Al Harthy made it clear the Royal Oman Police will start issuing all new visas soon.
