Brunei: Officials to ease international travel curbs, including removing vaccination requirement for incoming foreigners, from Sept. 15 /update 46

Event

Authorities will ease several international travel and domestic restrictions related to COVID-19 from Sept. 15 due to high vaccination rates in the country. Officials will no longer require foreign nationals to be fully vaccinated to enter Brunei. Incoming passengers who are not fully vaccinated will no longer be subject to on-arrival COVID-19 test and quarantine. Entrants will no longer need to complete an on-arrival health declaration form. For outbound trips, Bruneian citizens and Permanent Residents (PRs) will no longer have to be fully vaccinated to travel.

Additionally, officials will lift the facemask mandate in most indoor and outdoor settings from Sept. 15. Wearing facemasks will remain compulsory in healthcare facilities, at events where the organizers require attendees to use facemasks, and for symptomatic individuals who need to leave their residences. Officials continue to encourage people to wear facemasks, particularly in crowded locations.

Domestic Measures
Offices and factories can operate at full capacity. Most public facilities, including dining establishments, markets, and sales exhibitions, can open at maximum capacity or a cap of 300 people, whichever is lower. Officials allow business owners or event organizers the discretion to require visitors or program attendees to scan a QR code. Business owners and customers must download the BruHealth application. Violators could face a BND 10,000 fine and six months imprisonment; businesses flouting rules may face closures. Enforcement of the curbs varies across the country.

International Travel Restrictions
Most foreigners entering Brunei for less than 90 days must have a COVID-19 treatment insurance coverage of at least BND 20,000. Exemptions are allowed for foreign nationals who are entering Brunei for long-term purposes, such as employment, and returning Bruneian PRs.

A COVID-19 treatment insurance coverage of at least BND 20,000 remains mandatory for Bruneian citizens and PRs traveling overseas for short visits. Exceptions are possible for Brunei citizens and PRs who are traveling for employment and other long-term purposes, Bruneian PRs who are visiting their home countries, and Bruneian civil servants who are on government-sponsored official overseas trips, among others. Brunei citizens and PRs who are traveling overseas must also complete an e-registration form with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The operating hours of land control posts will be extended to 06:00-20:00 from Sept. 15.

Advice

Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions.

Resources

Prime Minister's Office
BruHealth application
On-Arrival Health Declaration Form
e-Registration for Outbound Travel of Bruneian Citizens and PRs
World Health Organization (WHO)