Brunei: Authorities suspending travel arrangement with Singapore from 19:00 May 20 due to COVID-19 concerns /update 24

Event

Brunei will suspend the Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL) scheme with Singapore from 19:00 May 20 due to COVID-19 concerns. Under the RGL program, people can travel for business and official purposes to and from Singapore with exemption from quarantine requirements. Travelers from Singapore who have obtained entry approval under the RGL program and arrive in Brunei after 19:00 May 20 will have to adhere to quarantine rules.

Authorities continue to enforce domestic restrictions as of May 20. Public facilities, such as educational, recreational, and religious venues and food establishments, can operate at full capacity. However, authorities continue to encourage health protocols, such as advising workers to wear facemasks and visitors to sanitize their hands frequently. Mass gatherings with up to 1,000 people can occur. Large events like trade fairs and bazaars can continue to occur with rules, such as requiring workers to wear masks, spacing booths at least three meters apart, and barring entry for people showing flu-like symptoms. Organizers of these events must apply to the Ministry of Home Affairs. Business owners and customers have to download the BruHealth application. Violators could face a BND 10,000 (USD 7,515) 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) continues to serve only limited routes. 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. Foreigners who can enter Brunei include foreigners on business and official travel, studying in Brunei, or undergoing medical treatment, among others. Foreigners entering Brunei must obtain an Entry Travel Pass with a Bruneian citizen or entity as a guarantor, obtain a negative result from a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test within 72 hours before travel, and quarantine up to 14 days at designated premises and undergo further RT-PCR tests upon arrival. Travelers can leave the isolation sites upon testing negative for COVID-19.

A ban for persons traveling for business and transporters of nonessential goods on traveling or transiting by land and sea remains in effect. Exemptions are in place for transport workers of essential goods, emergency service workers and patients, and people on government affairs, among others. Transport operators who cross the borders frequently must undergo an RT-PCR test weekly.

Authorities continue to ban the entry of foreign nationals traveling from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka through June 13 due to concerns over new COVID-19 variants. Exemptions are in place for diplomatic pass holders and armed forces members.

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 75), while outbound foreign nationals will have to pay BND 200 (USD 149); students, government employees on official duty, and people with permission from the Ministry of Health are exempt.

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. Plan for possible ground shipping and travel delays; seek alternative routes and shipping methods for time-sensitive cargo.

Resources

Ministry of Health
Ministry of Home Affairs
Prime Minister's Office
Entry Travel Pass application
BruHealth application
World Health Organization (WHO)