Mandatory PCR test for travellers with above normal temperature: Oman Airports

Muscat: Passengers departing from airports in Oman who record temperatures higher than 38 degrees during thermal screening will be required to take PCR tests on the premises.

Thermal screening is used to detect passengers with fever, and those who are required to take a test can do so at the facilities made available at the airport, said Oman Airports as part of its advisory.

“If required, PCR tests can be done at the airport drive-through and walk-in facilities, located in the P5 car park in Muscat and at the cargo terminal in Salalah,” said the company in a statement.

Those who wish to take a test at these locations are requested to follow the signs to the relevant facilities. A PCR test at the airport costs OMR19.

Results are made available within 24 hours, and can be viewed online at https://covid19.emushrif.om.

Although citizens and expatriates in Oman can travel overseas without pre-approval, those who do fly out of the country must carry insurance to cover their COVID-19 treatment expenses in the country to which they are flying.

To reduce waiting time while dealing with the enhanced health and safety measures at airports in Oman, passengers are requested to “consider online check-in, where possible, prior to arrival at the airport to avoid face-to-face contact at the airport.

“Travellers need to be at the airport at least three hours before the official time of departure or four hours at most.”

“Never travel if you display coronavirus symptoms,” added Oman Airports. “Check the latest COVID-19 travel and testing requirements for your destination. Do not travel if you feel sick or have a fever.”

Oman Airports has also issued a list of instructions passengers need to follow while at the airport. Currently, only those with valid air tickets are allowed into the terminal buildings.

“Wear a face mask at all times while at the airport and during your trip,” advised the organisation.

“Face masks must be changed every four hours, so please bring enough for your journey. Maintain social distancing of at least 1.5 metres inside the airport terminal, and avoid carrying your phone or other items in your hands when going through the check-in process and security checkpoints.”

“Clean and disinfect touched objects and surfaces, including mobile phones,” explained Oman Airports.

“Wash your hands or use hand sanitiser frequently, avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands and cover your mouth and nose with a paper towel cover or a flexed elbow when sneezing or coughing, even when wearing a mask. Avoid unnecessary contact with others, including handshaking and other greeting gestures.”

Those who wish to meet and greet passengers in the airport buildings are not allowed entry, owing to COVID-19 protocols. Exceptions are made for those who need to assist disabled passengers, with each handicapped traveller allowed to be accompanied by a single individual.

Common coronavirus symptoms include a high temperature, a continuous, recently-developed cough that lasts at a time for the majority of an hour, or manifests in the form of three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours.

Those who have a regular cough and see it worsening might also be suffering from COVID-19. A loss of the sense of smell or taste is also a common symptom of the disease. Most people with the virus have at least one of these symptoms.