As many as 7,963 international travellers have registered for institutional isolation in 321 approved centres to date, according to Hamoud bin Mohammed al Mundhiri, spokesman of the Ministry of Social Development’s Relief and Shelter Sector.

Speaking to Muscat Daily, Mundhiri said, “The 7,963 are registered in institutional quarantine centres in different governorates. The number may vary in coming days.”

Mundhiri informed that teams from the Relief and Shelter Sector are working around the clock receiving returnees from abroad. “Travellers are screened in cooperation with the Ministry of Health to make sure they are free of any symptoms of COVID-19. The Relief and Shelter Sector is also cooperating with the Royal Oman Police to monitor people in institutional isolation centres.” 

He noted that the Relief and Shelter Sector has also recorded violations of isolation orders among international travellers. “Some people go home. We are in contact with the ROP to take necessary action against violators.”

According to Mundhiri, cases of isolated individuals testing positive for COVID-19 have also emerged.  “The Relief and Shelter Sector has activated hotline numbers – 24994267, 24994266 and 24994265 – for enquiries about places of institutional isolation.” 

New institutional quarantine rules

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has announced new exceptions to institutional isolation directives.

A statement issued by the CAA said that based on decisions of the Supreme Committee tasked with tackling the impact of COVID-19, in reference to circulars issued on February 11 and 15, some passengers are exempted from presenting pre-confirmed hotel reservations before they are checked in at their airport of departure. 

Those exempted include diplomats working at foreign missions accredited to the sultanate, their families, and diplomats visiting Oman; arriving passengers aged 18 and younger if travelling alone, and those aged 60 or older; and airlines crew, subject to the precautionary measures issued by MoH.

Sick passengers with health conditions requiring special attention as per an authorised health form are exempted. Two companions accompanying a sick patient who is under 18 years or a woman patient will be exempted from institutional quarantine. Sick male passengers older than 18 are allowed a single companion who will be exempted. 

Holders of permits for private institutional isolation centres that are pre-approved by the Relief and Shelter Sector are also exempted from institutional quarantine. 

For members of ship crews moored in territorial waters of the sultanate, companies are obliged to ensure that there is a hotel reservation covering the duration of their stay in Oman based on the letter of a shipping agent.

‘All other requirements as stipulated in previous circulars remain valid,’ the CAA stated.

297 new cases

The MoH registered 297 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, taking the total to 139, 989.

The ministry confirmed two COVID-19 related deaths, taking the total to 1,557 deaths. The total number of recoveries is 131,143, and the recovery rate 94 per cent. 

Thirty-five patients were hospitalised in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of inpatients in hospitals to 182, including 64 in intensive care.