Brunei: Authorities tighten restrictions for travel and transit by land and sea through Jan. 26 /update 16

Event

Brunei has tightened requirements for travel or transit by land and sea through Jan. 26 to stem the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Authorities attributed the policy to the worsening situation in Brunei's neighboring country, Malaysia. Officials have banned people intending to travel for business reasons or transport workers of nonessential goods from traveling or transiting by land and sea through Jan. 26. Only transport workers of essential goods, emergency service workers and patients, and people on government affairs can still travel or transit by land and sea. Transport operators who cross the borders frequently must undergo a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) weekly.

Domestic restrictions remain in place. Mass gatherings are limited to 350 people. Public facilities, such as food establishments, markets, educational institutions, childcare centers, and sports facilities, can continue to operate at full capacity with protocols, such as taking temperatures of visitors and sanitizing the premises regularly. Religious sites can operate at maximum capacity for people above the age of 12. Trade fairs can occur with protocols, such as requiring workers to wear masks, spacing booths at least three meters apart, and barring entry for people showing flu-like symptoms.

Business owners and customers have to download the BruHealth application. Violators could face a BND 10,000 (USD 7,100) fine and six months' imprisonment. Officials could reintroduce or expand restrictions in the coming weeks if COVID-19 activity increases in-country.

The national carrier Royal Brunei Airlines (BI) will continue to serve only limited routes through March 27. The services that remain operational include flights to and from Hangzhou, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, London, Manila, Melbourne, and Singapore.

Travel Restrictions
Most foreign nationals, including long-term pass holders, remain banned from entering or transiting Brunei. Existing travel, student, and dependent visas remain suspended, with limited exceptions. People who can enter Brunei must test for COVID-19 before departure and upon arrival. Arrivals must quarantine between 2-14 days at government-designated facilities, depending on the risk level of the country of departure. Travelers can leave the isolation sites upon testing negative for COVID-19. Authorities will consider appeals from foreigners in special situations, such as those on scholarship studies or undergoing medical treatment in Brunei, to enter the country. Foreigners permitted entry in such cases must obtain a Bruneian citizen or entity as a guarantor.

Brunei allows travel for business and official purposes with Singapore in a so-called Reciprocal Green Lane scheme. For travelers from Singapore, a Bruneian host company or government agency must apply for the employee's travel pass and controlled itinerary for the first 14 days in Brunei. The travelers must have remained in Singapore for 14 days before travel, obtain a visa if applicable, purchase a return flight ticket, test negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours before departure, and download the BruHealth contact tracing application. Upon arrival, the employees must test for COVID-19, remain in their pre-approved accommodation place until the test returns negative, and adhere to a controlled itinerary.

Local nationals, permanent residents, and foreigners holding Bruneian identification cards remain barred from leaving the country. Only people departing to seek medical treatment or resume studies overseas can leave Brunei after obtaining approval from the Prime Minister's Office. Outbound local citizens and permanent residents who require COVID-19 tests have to pay BND 100 (USD 76), while outbound foreign nationals will have to pay BND 200 (USD 151); authorities have exempted students, government employees on official duty, and people with permission from the Ministry of Health.

Context

COVID-19 is a viral respiratory disease caused by infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV). Symptoms occur 1-14 days following exposure (average of 3-7 days). These symptoms include fever, fatigue, cough, difficulty breathing, sometimes worsening to pneumonia and kidney failure - especially in those with underlying medical conditions. On March 11, the WHO declared the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions. Reconsider and reconfirm nonemergency health appointments. Plan for queues and delays at available shopping centers. Plan for possible ground shipping and travel delays; seek alternative routes and shipping methods for time-sensitive cargo.

Exercise basic health precautions, especially frequent handwashing with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable. There is no evidence that the influenza vaccine, antibiotics, or antiviral medications will prevent this disease, highlighting the importance of diligent basic health precautions.

Resources

Ministry of Health
Prime Minister's Office
BruHealth application
World Health Organization (WHO)