Brunei: Authorities to ease domestic restrictions from June 1 /update 43

Event

Authorities will end the early endemic phase and ease some domestic measures from June 1. Officials will lift the cap for mass gatherings. Sporting activities will be allowed to occur without any limits on the number of spectators.

Domestic Measures
Offices and factories can operate at full capacity. Most public facilities, including cinemas, dining establishments, markets, and sales exhibitions, can open at maximum capacity or a cap of 300 people, whichever is lower. Public transport can operate at 75 percent capacity of the vehicles. 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.

Wearing facemasks remains mandatory when indoors; officials continue to encourage people to wear facemasks in outdoor locations, especially in crowded venues and during mass gatherings.

International Travel Restrictions
Fully vaccinated passengers can enter Brunei from any country by air for nonessential purposes, provided travelers have received a booster COVID-19 dose or a second dose within three months of entry. Fully vaccinated passengers can forego quarantine and an on-arrival PCR test; however, they must take a rapid antigen test (RAT) at their own expense for the first three days after arrival and upload the results on the BruHealth application.

Unvaccinated foreign nationals can enter Brunei only if they provide evidence of medical exemption from COVID-19 vaccination. Partial or unvaccinated travelers who can enter Brunei must quarantine at home or their accommodation. Arrivals must also take a RAT on day 1 and PCR test on day 3 at their own expense and receive a negative PCR test result before exiting quarantine.

Passengers who present proof of recovery from COVID-19 for an infection within 90 days before arrival only need to undergo an RAT upon arrival. Nonresident foreigners visiting Brunei for less than 90 days must obtain travel medical insurance with COVID-19 coverage worth at least BND 50,000. The government requires inbound passengers to complete an arrival declaration form before boarding flights.

Cross-border activities by land and sea remain restricted to essential purposes. Only vehicles with Transit Permits may pass through the borders. Transport operators who cross the borders frequently must undergo a RAT at least twice weekly. Bruneian citizens and residents must be fully vaccinated, defined as having received a booster dose, to travel out of the country.

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
BruHealth application
World Health Organization (WHO)