Expats happy with lower fee on Covid-19 swab testing

THE public welcomed the recent announcement made by Health Minister Dr Mohd Isham Jaafar on a revised fee for the Covid-19 swab test on foreigners entering Brunei.

“With the consent of His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei, the Ministry of Health (MoH) would like to inform the public on the reduction of the charges for the RT-6 PCR Covid-19 swab test imposed on foreigners that have been granted permission to enter the country from B$1,000 to B$350 (RM3,040 to RM1,065),” the minister said.

Director of Operations at Mulia Hotel Mohd Iswandi Maaruf, who is also President of the Brunei Association of Hotels (BAH), said, “It is a good initiative; business and corporate travellers can resume travelling into the country and filling up the hotel rooms again.”

As the hotel sector is among the hardest hit sectors amid the Covid19 pandemic, he believes that the revised fee is a boon to the revival of hospitality and tourism industries.

Meanwhile, The Brunei Hotel General Manager Andy Goh said the reduced price on swab test is a good move as it encourages travellers to consider entering Brunei, thus improving the outlook of the hospitality industry.

“Of course, we still hope a vaccine will be found soon as most hotels and in-bound travel agents, as well as airline operators are dependent on tourist arrivals,” he added.

Meanwhile, Danial, a Malaysian in business partnership with a local, applauded the move and said the previous price of swab testing put a lot of financial burden on businesses.

Now that it’s been revised, he believes the business sector is letting out a collective sigh of relief.