Brunei: New quarantine measures in effect as of March 6 /update 3

Event

Brunei has expanded entry restrictions for travelers arriving from Iran and Italy as of Friday, March 6, due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Any traveler who has visited or transited Italy or Iran within 14 days of arrival will be prohibited from entering the country. Citizens of Brunei are exempted from the restrictions but must self-quarantine at home for 14 days as a precaution. Similar restrictions remain in place for travelers from China’s Hubei, Zhejiang, or Jiangsu provinces.

Royal Brunei Airlines has also expanded temporary flight suspensions and reduced service as of Friday. All flights to mainland China remain suspend and service to Hong Kong and Taipei has been reduced. Flight to Seoul (South Korea) are suspended until March 31. Further information can be found on the airline’s website here.

As of Sunday, March 8, no cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Brunei.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On February 28, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the risk of spread and the risk of impact of the virus is "very high" at the global level.

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and labored breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.

Advice

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, seek medical care urgently and share your previous travel history with your health care provider.

Travelers returning from China, South Korea, Italy, and Iran who develop symptoms of pneumonia are advised to call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.