Over 75 per cent of travellers visiting Oman have displayed symptoms of Covid-19 seven days after their arrival into the Sultanate, prompting Oman to require a Covid-19 screening test before arrival at the borders.

A Ministry of Health official pointed out that between October 21 to October 27, 14,302 travelers were examined at points of entry, of which 810 were positive around 6%. Dr Saif Al Abri, Director General of Diseases Surveillance and Control, said: "We assessed data of travelers arriving to the Sultanate in recent months and found that more than 75 per cent of them show symptoms 7 days after their arrival."

"Now a PCR examination will be requested from the traveler to be taken 96 hours before arrival to the Sultanate, and this may reduce the percentage of positive cases at ports of entry." He added, "The positive results may reach to less than 1 per cent, taking into account the accuracy and reliability of the reports at arrivals."

"In addition, the visitor will be required to undergo a Covid-19 test seven days after his stay in isolation, and if the result is negative, he will be able to leave isolation after the examination result is issued," Dr Saif Al Abri confirmed.

SOURCE: TIMESOFOMAN