Brunei allows non-essential travel via air starting 1 April, updates Travel Green List
Brunei has opened its border for non-essential outbound and inbound travels via air beginning 1 April, announced the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in a press briefing recently.
The revised Travel Green List now adds more countries namely, Australia, Cambodia, China, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.
Citizens and residents are no longer required to obtain the Exit Travel approval from the PMO to any country of destination.
Travellers entering the sultanate are allowed to undergo quarantine at respective home residences or hotel accommodation.
Addresses need to be registered prior to departing the sultanate via the online Arrival E-Health Declaration Form which needs to 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 history of travel.
However, all inbound travellers are still required to make payments for COVID-19 tests that will be conducted upon arrival.
Exit travel is only permitted for those who have completed three or two doses of COVID-19 vaccinations within three months prior to departure.
However, exemptions are given to those with a COVID-19
Recovery Certificate with a validity of 90 days, and children under 18, provided that they are travelling with an adult who fulfills vaccination requirements.
In addition, outbound travellers who will be exiting the country for a period of less than 90 days are also required to obtain travel insurance with coverage of COVID-19 treatment.
Foreign nationals travelling from countries under the list are not required to obtain Entry Travel Pass (ETP) approval for inbound travel to Brunei.
However, foreigners who wish to work or visit the country 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.
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.
Travellers arriving from Travel Green List requirements
i. 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 country of origin;
ii. 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 application. ART kits with QR code for this purpose will be provided upon arrival in the country.
iii. Undergo quarantine upon arrival in the country until a negative RTPCR swab test result is obtained. Travellers are allowed to undergo quarantine in their respective home residences or hotel accomodation;
iv. 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 taking the PCR or ART tests before departing from country of origin and undergo quarantine upon arrival in Brunei. They are also exempted from undergoing RT-PCR swab test upon arrival and are only required to undergo ART on day of arrival.
Travellers from non -Travel Green List requirements
i. Undergo RT-PCR swab test not more than two days before departing from country of origin or undergo a certified ART not more than one day before departing country of origin;
ii. Undergo ART test on the day of arrival in the country and subsequentlyundergo quarantine for five days in respective home residences or hotel accomodation;
iii. 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 and RT-PCR swab tests can be performed at any accredited
clinic. The list of accredited clinics can found on the Prime Minister’s Office website at www.jpm.gov.bn/ travelportal;
iv. 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 to take the PCR or ART swab tests.
They are also exempted from undergoing quarantine for five days and are only required to undergo ART on the day of arrival.
Travel via land and sea control posts
Inbound and outbound travel through land or sea control posts are still required to adhere to current measures that are enforced, that is, Exit Travel approval for outbound travel and Entry Travel Pass for foreign nationals.
Active discussions with neighbouring countries on exit and entry travels through land and sea control posts are currently in progress.
Further information and details of the guidelines on inbound and outbound travel can be found on the Prime Minister’s Office website at www.jpm.gov.bn/ travelportal.
In light of these new developments as stated a moment ago, the public is reminded and advised to adhere to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and health protocols wherever they may be such as social distancing, wearing face masks, maintaining personal hygiene and regular use of ARTs for screening purposes.