MUSCAT: The decision by the Supreme Committee to lift travel ban on 21 countries including India, Pakistan and Bangladesh is a huge relief on hundreds of residents who are stranded back home for nearly four months. 

Speaking to The Arabian Stories, expat residents were jubilant following the decision to lift the flight restrictions from red-listed countries. 

Rahul Nair, an Indian resident, who was stranded in Kerala for the last three months, thanked the Supreme Committee for the timely decision. “I was almost on the verge of losing my job and I was struck without salary for the last three months. I am now relieved. Thank you for the decision Supreme Committee,” Nair said. 

Pakistani resident Mohammed Shaheen said the decision to remove mandatory quarantine will save the travel cost. Fully vaccinated passengers with a negative PCR test result that has a QR code will be exempted from quarantine. While those without PCR negative certificate can undergo test at Oman airports and must be in quarantine till they get the negative result. “This will certainly help us save a lot of money. Its a welcoming decision,” Shaheen said. 

Passengers must carry a negative PCR certificate with a QR code and “the test shall be conducted within 96 hours prior to the schedule time of arrival in the Sultanate for the international flights of more than eight hours duration including transit, 72 hours for shorter flights,” the statement from the Civil Aviation Authority said. 

Rakesh Nair, Managing Director of Creative Glass Engineering and Miracle Solutions, was 

delighted that he can now bring his family back to Oman. “My wife and kids have been stranded in Kerala since April, and I was actually considering alternative routes to bring them here. It would have cost me a lot more, but now I am happy, I can finally see them,” Rakesh added.