Rokiah Mahmud & James Kon
Brunei residents do not need to scan BruHealth QR code as of yesterday, one of the many signs that the Sultanate is in the Endemic Phase.
The Bulletin interviewed the public to obtain their views on this.
Civil servant Muhammad Alim bin Sani while supporting the move, expressed concern that the authorities wouldn’t know if any infected person has entered any premises and make contact tracing difficult.
He said this would mean it will depend on infected individuals’ honesty and sense of responsibility to isolate themselves. Muhammad Alim also lauded the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the government’s efforts in controlling the COVID-19 outbreak and bringing the nation into the Endemic Phase.
Nurul Fatinah binti Mohd Hairol said not needing to scan the BruHealth QR code shows the easing of restrictions and that “we are now living in the new normal”. However, she cautioned that Brunei residents should not be complacent.
She urged the public to be responsible by following health measures as well as carry out antigen rapid tests (ARTs) if feeling unwell and to upload the results on the BruHealth app.
Haji Sallehuddin
Hajah S.N Sabrina binti Haji Sallehuddin said she would still scan the BruHealth QR code and urged others to do so too. “It’s for our own safety, our families and the people around us,” she said. Hajah Siti Nurul Sabrina justified the scanning with its contact tracing capability.
Pengiran Anuar bin Pengiran Haji Rambli said the move to discontinue the scanning practise is one that heads into the right direction. He said the QR code has served its purpose and looked forward to the BruHealth evolving into a general health app.
“Now that COVID-19 measures are being lifted with a high vaccination rate and a low number of cases in Categories 4 and 5, BruHealth can be used for more all-rounded uses focussing on healthy lifestyle and other exciting uses. This evolution is a natural progression of the app’s usage now that we are adapting to life in the new normal,” said Pengiran Anuar.
He said he is not worried about not having the BruHealth QR code scanning because for the past two years, he has learned to be wary of where he went and will inform the authorities if required to disclose his whereabouts. Pengiran Anuar said he will still scan the code if it
is required.
Echoing other interviewees, he urged the public to continue following COVID-19 measures.
Meanwhile, the MoH in an advisory urged the public to continue to be vigilant and practice their social responsibilities such as maintaining good hand hygiene and to stay home if feeling unwell. The public to adopt a healthier lifestyle and continue to use the BruHealth app with its new and upcoming features.
The COVID-19 Steering Committee said BruHealth will become a health management app for long-term use outside of pandemic time. The app will be used for healthy lifestyle programmes and QR code scanning adapted for other uses.
With the discontinuation of scanning for the BruHealth QR code, contact tracing will be conducted through close contacts declared by individuals who report positive ART results.
New cases are urged to notify their close contacts when infected and tested positive.
