Brunei updates changes on COVID-19 control measures, ease of cross-border travel restrictions
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 wishes to announce several updates to COVID-19 control measures.
This new development was revealed by Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister of Finance and Economy in a press conference on Thursday.
Updates on COVID-19 control measures, effective 15 June 2022
• i. The scanning of BruHealth QR codes no longer required. However, the management of premises or event organisers may ask members of the public or event attendees to scan the BruHealth QR code before entering premises.
• ii. Scheduled Antigen Rapid Test (ART) in offices and workplaces will also be ceased. However, ART testing is required for symptomatic individuals, close contacts to a positive case and other circumstances where required (for e.g before attending an event). However, the public are advised to do their own ART from time to time. Scheduled ART in schools will be continued for the time being and will be reviewed from time to time
Ease of cross-border travel restrictions and control measures, effective 15 June 2022
• i. Pre-departure swab test (either RT-PCR or ART test) for inbound travellers is no longer required, regardless of vaccination status;
• ii. Fully vaccinated travellers are no longer required to undergo ART testing and self-isolation upon arrival in the country;
• iii. Travellers who have not completed the COVID-19 vaccination are required to undergo ART testing upon arrival, 3 days self-isolation and will only be allowed to end their self-isolation if tested negative RT-PCR on day three;
• iv. The minimum travel insurance coverage for COVID-19 treatment that is required for any individual wishing to exit or enter Brunei Darussalam is now updated to a minimum coverage of BND20,000 - for air, land or sea travel.
This requirement is for citizens and permanent residents of Brunei Darussalam who wish to travel abroad as well as foreigners who wish to enter the country.
• v. Officers of the Government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam travelling abroad for official reasons or on duty are exempted from this requirement, and are also
• subject to entry requirements of their intended travel destination;
• vi. Transport operators are no longer required to undergo scheduled ART testing. However, they are advised to do their own ART tests from time to time.
Cross-border travel through land and seaports permitted for essential travel
• i. For the purpose of work or school – and is also extended to commute travels for the aforementioned purposes;
• ii. Transit travel;
• iii. Local and foreign-registered transport operators for the purpose of essential import and export supply deliveries.
Approval application for essential travel needs to be submitted to the Prime Minister’s Office via website www.pmo.gov.bn/travelportal.
However, COVID-19 vaccination status is not required for categorised essential travels.
Cross-border travel via land and sea is planned to fully open, beginning 1 August 2022
• i. Subject to the current COVID-19 situation in the country and regionally, as well as the operational readiness of control posts.
Therefore, non-essential travel via land and sea is still not permitted until Sunday, 31 July 2022.
Other COVID-19 related updates
• i. Food rations will be given to COVID-19 positive cases with a purple BruHealth code and for those who apply for food assistance only.
• ii. The COVID-19 Relief Fund will be closed beginning 15 June 2022;
• iii. The COVID-19 allowance to frontliners is discontinued, starting 1 June 2022. However, the allowance is still provided for volunteers.
• iv. The daily Ministry of Health’s Press Conferences will be conducted weekly, every Monday, beginning 13 June 2022.
An information dashboard on the COVID-19 situation will be publicised daily on the Ministry of Health’s website or any other platforms to continue to provide up-to-date information to the public.
“The steering committe will continue to monitor the readiness of agencies in providing an accurate and prompt response to the current situation of the COVID-19 in the country while ensuring that any control measures imposed are appropriate, to maintain safety, security and wellbeing of the citizens and residents of Brunei Darussalam,” said YB Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Mohd Amin Liew Abdullah.
Any changes and updates will be announced immediately to the public, he concluded.