Coronavirus In Brunei: What's The Situation?

Brunei has had its fair share of COVID-19 cases, with a total of 257,900 confirmed cases as of December 2022. The country has seen 222,100 recoveries and 225 deaths, with a recovery rate of 86% and a fatality rate of 0%. While there are currently no specific travel restrictions to Brunei, standard COVID-19 protocols such as social distancing and the use of face masks are encouraged. Brunei has also implemented various measures to prevent the spread of the virus, including health and temperature screening at borders and strict procedures for visitors to public areas.

Brunei has reported a total of 257,900 COVID-19 cases

Out of the total cases, 222,100 people recovered, and sadly, 225 people died. The containment rate was 86%, with a recovery rate of 86% and a fatality rate of 0%. A total of 717,800 COVID-19 tests had been conducted in the country.

Travellers to Brunei must provide a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of travel

As of April 2024, Brunei has reported 257,900 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 222,100 recoveries and 225 deaths. The country has strict procedures in place for visitors to all public areas, including temperature checks and the use of the BruHealth app.

All travellers to Brunei must provide a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test, obtained within 72 hours of travel. This test must be privately arranged and paid for by the traveller. In addition, travellers must apply for a permit from the Prime Minister's Office at least eight working days before their intended date of travel. It is also important to note that Brunei enforces an exit travel ban, including for permanent residents and expatriate workers, with exceptions considered on a case-by-case basis.

Upon arrival in Brunei, travellers will be encouraged to download the BruHealth app. This app is necessary to access many day-to-day facilities. Travellers will also need to quarantine for a period of 2 to 14 days at a government-designated facility, with the duration determined upon arrival. The cost of the quarantine stay must be covered by the traveller.

All foreigners must pay $350 BND for a COVID-19 test before departing for Brunei

As of December 2022, Brunei has reported 257,900 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 222,100 recoveries and 225 deaths. The containment rate is 86%, and the recovery rate is also 86%.

All individuals entering the country via air travel are required to pay for COVID-19 tests that will be conducted upon arrival. This includes citizens, permanent residents, and foreigners. The test costs $350 BND and must be paid before departing for Brunei. This is in addition to the completion of the online Arrival E-Health Declaration Form within 24 hours of departure, which requires individuals to submit their health information, such as vaccination status, COVID-19 test results, and travel history. These measures are based on current risk assessments and detailed studies and are enforced to help control the spread of COVID-19 in Brunei.

Travellers to Brunei must quarantine for 2-14 days in a government-designated facility

As of April 2021, Brunei has banned any cross-border entry of travellers by land or sea, including transits through the country, except for entry and transit travels that have been approved by the government. Travellers to Brunei must apply for a permit from the Prime Minister's Office at least eight working days before the intended date of travel.

If the government of Brunei permits you entry, you will need to go into quarantine on arrival at a government-designated facility (usually a local hotel). Travellers are responsible for booking directly with hoteliers and must secure their accommodation before arrival. Quarantine is currently between two and 14 days. Travellers will be informed of the duration of their quarantine on arrival and will need to cover the cost of their stay in their designated quarantine facility.

All foreigners must pay $350 BND for a COVID-19 test before they depart on their journey to Brunei. Travellers should carry proof of payment with them when checking in for their flight to Brunei.

There has been no community transmission of COVID-19 in Brunei since May 2020

Brunei Darussalam has been very successful in its fight against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, with no community transmission of COVID-19 since May 2020. This is due to a whole-of-nation approach, with swift responses and strong social cohesion within the nation, which calls itself the "Abode of Peace" ("Darussalam").

The government established inter-ministerial cooperation and enhanced communication with the general public through daily press conferences, where journalists could freely channel queries from the people. This increased public confidence in the nation's competence in managing the pandemic. The government also encouraged social responsibilities such as physical distancing, self-isolation when symptomatic, and the use of the BruHealth tracing app.

The small nation has been able to leverage its size and population to effectively manage the pandemic. With a population of under half a million and a total land area of 5,765 sq. km, Brunei was able to ensure transparency and an open flow of information from health authorities to address public concerns. The health sector, along with other ministries, increased engagement, communication, and accountability to the public.

The pandemic was also successfully tackled through responsive citizenship. While various ministries worked together to mitigate the repercussions of COVID-19, the public's compliance with regulations contributed significantly to the nation's resilience. People turned to online platforms and social media to encourage family and friends to maintain social distancing and abide by travel restrictions.

Brunei's successful virus containment led to a return to physical schooling and the reopening of businesses, with an easing of mass gathering restrictions. However, the nation continues to maintain strict border control policies and rigorous testing and isolation procedures for incoming travellers approved by the government.

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