Mass gatherings are now permitted at up to 300 people at public premises including halls and restaurants, or the maximum capacity a given venue, whichever is the lesser number starting today. The announcement was made by Minister of Home Affairs Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong at the daily press conference yesterday with the consent of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam. More details in Friday’s Borneo Bulletin.
ASEAN’s prioritisation of post-pandemic readiness, particularly in providing access to vulnerable groups to education and viable platforms of socio-economic activities, underscored the community spirit in the region to face challenges together. More details in Friday’s Borneo Bulletin
The SMS Brunei Prihatin for Orphans Fund collected BND210,619 in last year’s campaign which ran from April 8-July 8, 2021. The collection was handed over to Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin in a ceremony at Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium yesterday. More details in Friday’s Borneo Bulletin.
LONDON (AP) – The British government is ending the supply of free rapid coronavirus tests to most of the population even though COVID-19 infections remain at record levels, and health officials warn the pandemic could still have nasty surprises in store. More details in Friday’s Borneo Bulletin.
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) – Heavy fighting raged on the outskirts of Kyiv and other zones yesterday amid indications the Kremlin is using talk of de-escalation as cover while regrouping and resupplying its forces and redeploying them for a stepped-up offensive in eastern Ukraine. More details in Friday’s Borneo Bulletin.
JERUSALEM (AP) – Israeli forces raided a refugee camp in the occupied West Bank yesterday, setting off a gun battle in which two Palestinians were killed and 15 were wounded, the Palestinian Health Ministry said. More details in Friday’s Borneo Bulletin.
BEIJING (AP) – Chinese officials said yesterday that the search for wreckage in last week’s crash of a China Eastern Boeing 737-800 is basically done and that more than 49,000 pieces of debris had been found. More details in Friday’s Borneo Bulletin.
Washington (AFP) – Former United States (US) president Donald Trump’s son-in-law and top White House aide Jared Kushner is due to answer questions from the House panel investigating last year’s assault on the Capitol. More details in Friday’s Borneo Bulletin.
His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam yesterday left Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) after attending the World Government Summit 2022 and Expo 2020 Dubai.
His Majesty was accompanied by His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen.
State Mufti Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned recited the Doa Selamat prior to departure.
Minister of Energy and Infrastructure of the UAE Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei and Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam to the UAE Haji Harun bin Haji Junid bade His Majesty farewell at the airport.
During the working visit to Dubai, His Majesty delivered a titah keynote speech at the World Government Summit 2022.
His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam left Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) yesterday after completing a working visit that included attending the World Government Summit 2022 and Expo 2020 Dubai. His Majesty was accompanied by His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen.His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam with His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen prior to departure. PHOTOS: INFOFOTO
The monarch touched on, among other subjects, overcoming current challenges, shaping better future governments by engaging the participation of youth and women, cooperating extensively as well as instilling peace and stability for economic development.
His Majesty also attended a meeting with Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Dubai ruler His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Both leaders discussed enhancing bilateral relations between Brunei Darussalam and the UAE to increase trade levels and to facilitate cooperation between investors from both countries.
His Majesty toured the UAE Pavilion at the Expo 2020 Dubai. During the tour, His Majesty expressed pleasure in witnessing first-hand the success of the Brunei Darussalam Pavilion at the expo, as demonstrated by the determination and efforts of entrepreneurs from micro, small and medium enterprises in marketing their products at the international arena, while at the same time receiving welcoming feedback and a high number of visitors to the pavilion.
The Government of His Majesty signed a new memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Government of the UAE on the Recognition of Certificate Issued under the Provisions of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watch Keeping for Seafarers, 1978 as amended, which is an effort to expand and develop the maritime industry, and will be able to be co-recognised by the two countries.
Citizens and residents of Brunei Darussalam will be allowed to make non-essential travel to 11 Travel Green List nations starting tomorrow.
Minister of Home Affairs Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong said this at the daily press conference yesterday, before listing the 11 nations as being Australia, Cambodia, China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia (air travel only), New Zealand, Singapore, United Kingdom (UK), United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia.
For Brunei residents and citizens, an exit travel approval from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) is no longer required, particularly for air travel to all countries – whether included in the Travel Green List or otherwise.
“However, exit travel is only permitted for citizens and residents who have completed three doses of the COVID-19 vaccination, or two doses of the vaccination within a three-month period prior to departure,” Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar said.
Proof of vaccination status must be produced when departing the country. Exemptions are given to those holding a COVID-19 Recovery Certificate with a 90-day validity, and children under the ages of 18 – provided they are travelling with an adult who fulfils the vaccination requirements.
Additionally, outbound travellers exiting the country for a period of less than 90 days are required to obtain travel insurance with COVID-19 treatment coverage. All Brunei nationals and permanent residents travelling out of the Sultanate are advised to register via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website at http://www.mfa.gov.bn/Pages/eRegister_desc.aspx to allow ease of communications in the event assistance is required.
Foreign nationals on inbound and outbound travel (via land or sea control posts) are still required to adhere to current measures enforced – exit travel approval for outbound travel and Entry Travel Pass for foreign nationals.
The Sultanate is currently in active discussions with neighbouring countries on inbound and outbound travel through land and sea control posts. Information of the inbound and outbound travel guidelines can be found on the PMO website, www.jpm.gov.bn/travelportal.
