Azlan Othman
Individuals entering the country via air travel are allowed to undergo quarantine at home or hotels. The new guideline will be implemented from tomorrow.
Minister of Home Affairs Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong announced this at the daily press conference yesterday.
The minister said 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, the COVID-19 Steering Committee announced several updates to the guidelines on inbound and outbound travel via air based on current risk assessments and detailed research.
Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar also said addresses need to be registered prior to departing from the Sultanate through the online Arrival E-Health Declaration Form.
This declaration must be completed by citizens, permanent residents or foreign nationals within 24 hours prior to departure, by submitting their health details including vaccination status, COVID-19 test result and travel history.
However, inbound travellers are still required to make payment for COVID-19 tests upon arrival.
The minister added that foreign nationals travelling from countries under the Travel Green List – Australia, Cambodia, China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia (air travel only), New Zealand, Singapore, the United Kingdom (UK), United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia – are not required to obtain Entry Travel Pass approval for inbound travel to the Sultanate.
Travels to and from the Travel Green List countries are no longer limited to essential travel and are open to non-essential ones, too.
However, inbound travel of foreign nationals from Travel Green List countries who wish to work or visit Brunei are still required to apply for employment visa, dependent visa, visit visa (for foreigners who require entry visa), or professional and business visit visa prior to entering the country, as per existing regulations.
In addition, they are also required to adhere to enforced health measures such as the completion of COVID-19 vaccinations.
Travellers arriving from Travel Green List countries are required to adhere to health protocols which have been revised such as to undergo RT-PCR swab test no more than two days before departing from the country of origin or undergo a certified antigen rapid test (ART) no more than one day before departing the country of origin; to undergo RT-PCR swab test and ART on day of arrival in the country, and subsequently undergo ART only on the second and third day, whereby test results are to be reported through the BruHealth app. ART kits with QR code will be provided upon arrival in the country.
They must also undergo quarantine upon arrival in the Sultanate until a negative RT-PCR swab test result is obtained. Travellers are allowed to undergo quarantine at home or
hotel accommodation.
Travellers who have previously been infected by COVID-19 and have proof of infection such as a Recovery Certificate, whereby the date is no longer than 90 days, are exempted from the measures namely to undergo RT-PCR swab test no more than two days before departing from country of origin or undergo a certified ART no more than one day before departing country of origin) and to undergo quarantine upon arrival in the country until a negative RTPCR swab test result is obtained. Travellers are allowed to undergo quarantine at home or hotel accommodation.
They are also exempted from undergoing RT-PCR swab test upon arrival and are only required to undergo ART on the day of arrival.
Meanwhile, travellers arriving from countries not yet included in the Travel Green List and intend to come to Brunei are required to undergo RT-PCR swab test no more than two days before departing from the country of origin or undergo a certified ART no more than one day before departing the country of origin; undergo antigen rapid test (ART) on the day of arrival in the country and subsequently undergo quarantine for five days at home or hotel accommodation.
The minister said they must also undergo RT-PCR swab test on the fifth day and will be allowed to end quarantine as soon as a negative RT-PCR swab test result is obtained. RT-PCR swab tests can be performed at any accredited clinic.
The list of accredited clinics can be found on the Prime Minister’s Office website at
www.jpm.gov.bn/travelportal.
Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar added, travellers who have previously been infected by COVID-19 and have proof of infection such as a Recovery Certificate, whereby the date is no longer than 90 days, are exempted from the measures namely to undergo RT-PCR swab test not more than two days before departing from the country of origin or undergo a certified ART not more than one day before departing the country of origin) as well as undergo RT-PCR swab test on the fifth day and will be allowed to end quarantine as soon as a negative RT-PCR swab test result is obtained.
They are also exempted from undergoing quarantine for five days and are only required to undergo ART on the day of arrival.
Foreign nationals entering the country for a period of less than 90 days are required to obtain travel insurance with coverage of COVID-19 treatment.
The minister said, to this end, the Government 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, expressed its appreciation to all parties, particularly citizens and residents of Brunei Darussalam, for their cooperation in adhering to regulations since the implementation of travel restrictions.
“The unity and support by the public played a key role in curbing the impacts of COVID-19 in the Sultanate. On this note, it is hoped that the updated guidelines on inbound and outbound travel will enable us to step forward towards normalcy, while staying vigilant and cautious by complying with health guidelines and measures.
“Therefore, we must continue to pray and have faith in Allah the Almighty that the Sultanate will continue to be blessed, peaceful, safe and prosperous,” the minister added.
