Brunei: Authorities to ease restrictions for inbound and outbound travel from April 1 /update 41

Event

Authorities will ease restrictions for inbound and outbound travel from April 1 amid ongoing attempts to stem the spread of COVID-19. The government has reactivated the Travel Green List scheme that allows less strict rules for air travelers coming from a list of countries; the locations currently include Australia, Cambodia, China, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, the UK, and the UAE. Entrants by air from these locations will have to quarantine at either their residence or a designated facility until the on-arrival test returns negative; foreigners entering from Travel Green List will no longer need to obtain an Entry Travel Pass. Entrants coming from countries not on the Travel Green List will have to quarantine at either their residence or a designated facility for at least five days.

Authorities will allow fully vaccinated Bruneian citizens and residents to have non-essential travel to the Travel Green List countries. Outbound passengers who will be overseas for less than 90 days must obtain travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage. Travel to other locations will remain restricted to essential travel.

Domestic Measures
The government has extended restrictions under the early endemic phase through April 15. Mass gatherings, government offices, and business premises, including workplaces, dine-in services, recreational venues, sports facilities, and supermarkets, may operate at up to 75 percent of a venue's capacity or 300 people in attendance. Unvaccinated individuals must show a negative ART result taken within the previous 48 hours to enter government facilities. The 00:00-04:00 nightly curfew ends March 31. Most in-person educational classes remain suspended through at least April 2.

Business owners and customers must download the BruHealth application. Individuals must scan a QR code when entering or exiting any premises, activate the Bluetooth function on their phones when in public places, and enter public facilities only if they have green or yellow health codes. Violators could face a BND 10,000 fine and six months' imprisonment; businesses flouting rules may face closures. Facemasks are mandatory in public except when alone or exercising.

International Travel Restrictions
Most foreign nationals remain banned from entering or transiting Brunei, except those on business and official travel, studying in Brunei, undergoing medical treatment, and transport operators, among others. Unvaccinated foreign citizens can enter Brunei only if they are on essential travel or have medical exemptions from the vaccination. Foreigners who can enter Brunei must obtain an Entry Travel Pass with a Bruneian citizen or entity as a guarantor.

All inbound air travel passengers, including Bruneian citizens, must obtain a negative result from an RT-PCR test within 48 hours or an ART test within 24 hours before travel, complete an Arrival E-Health Declaration Form within 24 hours before departure, pay BND 100 prior to arrival for an on-arrival test, download and register on the BruHealth Application, and undergo an on-arrival RT-PCR and/or ART test. Passengers who present a proof of recovery from COVID-19 for an infection within 90 days before arrival will be exempted from the protocols mentioned above and only need to undergo an ART upon arrival. Foreigners who are visiting Brunei for less than 90 days must obtain travel medical insurance with COVID-19 coverage worth at least BND 50,000.

Only vehicles with Transit Permits may pass through the borders. Transport operators who cross the borders frequently must undergo an RT-PCR test weekly. Bruneian and Malaysian authorities have yet to announce details of a planned reciprocal quarantine-free travel scheme.

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.

Resources

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