MTIC: Make use of online government services

9.59pm | March 24, 2020

The Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications (MTIC) has advised the public to use its online services through the government portal instead of visiting service counters.

The ministry has shortened the operating hours of payment counters for several of its services in view of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Among the services available on the portal are:

  1. Application for renewal of driving license and road tax;
  2. Application for a license to build a house;
  3. Application for installation of electricity and water supply
  4. Registration as commercial importer of food products
  5. Application for vacancies in the public and private sector

Users must register for an e-Darussalam account before using these online services.

In a press conference, MTIC Minister YB Dato Seri Setia Abdul Mutalib Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Setia Dato Paduka Hj Mohammad Yusof said over 8,900 online applications were received for renewal of driving licenses and road tax last year.

“A total of 240 customers have also used the Express Post service for the delivery of their driving license and road tax.

“These figures are low and it is hoped that the number of users using the online services will increase greatly, especially given the current situation,” he said.

The renewal services and payments can also be made through the TransportBN mobile app.


Gov’t launches app for users to monitor COVID-19 developments

9.33pm | March 24, 2020

 

The government has launched a web app that allows users to evaluate whether they have COVID-19 symptoms and alert authorities to take action through a self-assessment tool.

Second Finance and Economy Minister YB Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Mohd Amin Liew Abdullah said the online platform uses artificial intelligence (AI) to create a “real-time government dashboard” that provides the latest information on COVID-19 developments.

The app, which went live on Tuesday night, enables users to track the number of active and recovered coronavirus cases as well as number of people who are in quarantine.

In a press conference, the minister said the government is also working on providing detailed information on infections based on the district and mukim.

He added that the app allows the government to use big data science and AI algorithms to understand the state of Brunei residents’ health, forecast the infection rate and use medical resource mapping for effective system management and devise better policies.

Additional features are expected to be included in the app to provide comprehensive information on the status of COVID-19 in Brunei, including government press releases.

The app is built in collaboration with China’s Yidu Cloud Technology, a medical AI technology company, to improve the quality and efficiency of Brunei’s healthcare system.

Members of the public are encouraged to make use of the app to monitor the latest developments and help the government curb the spread of COVID-19.


COVID-19 Relief Fund receives over $300,000 in 3 days

8.32pm | March 24, 2020

The COVID-19 Relief Fund has garnered $330,423 of donations, three days after it was launched for the public to help the Ministry of Health purchase medical equipment and other essential items.

In a press briefing, Second Finance and Economy Minister YB Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Mohd Amin Liew Abdullah hoped that members of the public will continue contributing to the fund in an effort to fight against the coronavirus.


MoHA clarifies travel ban on foreigners

7.59pm | March 24, 2020

The Ministry of Home Affairs has clarified that transport companies delivering food and medical supplies are not required to seek approval from the Department of Immigration and National Registration to enter Brunei.

Following Monday’s announcement that foreigners are barred from entering Brunei, the ministry said transport company employees are exempted from the ban.

However, they must abide by the health ministry’s instructions and goods that are brought in must comply with customs regulations.

The ministry also warned food premises against providing dine-in services as anyone found  violating the government directive can be prosecuted under the Infectious Diseases Act.

The dine-in ban, which started on March 19, also applies to licensed and unlicensed private residences that provide dining services.


COVID-19 tally jumps to 104

7.13pm | March 24, 2020

The number of COVID-19 cases has increased to 104 after the health ministry reported 13 new infections, the second largest daily rise since patient zero was detected on March 9.

In his daily press briefing, Health Minister YB Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Mohammad Isham Hj Jaafar said eight of the new cases were part of the cluster who recently returned from Surabaya on a Royal Brunei Airlines flight.

Four of the new infections were close contacts of previously confirmed COVID-19 patients while the ministry is still conducting investigations and contact tracing on one case.

One patient is still in critical condition and is now being treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), a heart-lung machine that provides life support.

A total of 1,388 people are under quarantine while 376 people have been discharged from their quarantine.

The ministry is also testing those who are undergoing the mandatory isolation, including returning Bruneian students and travellers. Testing will be done in stages, based on their location.

Since January, 3,647 laboratory tests have been conducted.

YB Dato Dr Hj Mohd Isham said his ministry is also in talks with the Ministry of Development to turn the Lambak Kanan vertical housing scheme into a temporary isolation centre.

Full statement from MoH:

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Marriage registrations suspended

12.23pm | March 24, 2020

The Syariah Court’s Office of Marriages, Divorces, Annulments and Reconciliation for Muslims has suspended all wedding registrations from March 24 until further notice.

In a public notice, the Office said all wedding solemnisation ceremonies that have already been given permission must be postponed in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Queries on the wedding registration suspension can be directed to Brunei-Muara Syariah Court at 2221473, Belait Syariah Court at 3330385 ext 222/223, Tutong Syariah Court at 4220504 and Temburong Syariah Court at 5221019.


Brunei extends mosque closures for another week

9.03pm | March 23, 2020

Workers wearing protective suits spray disinfectant at Suri Seri Begawan Raja Pengiran Anak Damit Mosque in an effort to counter the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus in Brunei on March 17, 2020. Photo: Dean Kassim/AFP

Mosques, surau and prayer halls will remain closed for another week to stem the spread of COVID-19, the religious affairs minister said on Monday.

YB Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Awg Badaruddin Pengarah Dato Paduka Hj Awg Othman said the decision to extend the closure was taken as a precautionary measure to avoid danger or harm that can be detrimental to the well-being of people.

The closure, which started on March 17, will continue until March 30 following a review by the Brunei Islamic Religious Council.

The minister added that the call to prayer will continue and mosque officers will remain on duty.

Cleaning and disinfection at mosques and other places of worship will continue to be carried out during the closure.

He said prayer and zikir texts have been distributed and broadcasted through the media, radio and television to make it easy for people to recite.

The Brunei Islamic Religious Council will review whether there is a need to further extend the closure again.


Brunei shuts borders to all foreigners from March 24

8.27pm | March 23, 2020

All foreigners will not be allowed to enter Brunei from Tuesday to reduce the number of imported COVID-19 cases, the home affairs minister announced in a press conference.

YB Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Hj Abu Bakar Hj Apong said the travel ban includes foreign transit passengers.

The ministry has halted the issuance of visitor visas, student visas and dependent visas, and will not process applications the Department of Immigration and National Registration received before the suspension.

The temporary suspension also applies to authorisation letters on visitor visas, students visas and dependent visas issued by the department as well as foreign embassies and high commissions.

YB Pehin Dato Hj Abu Bakar urged foreigners who have been granted re-entry visas, visitor visas, student visas and dependent visas to defer their travel to Brunei if they are still in their home country.

He said the Department of Immigration and National Registration may give special consideration to specific applications, subject to “matters of national interest”.

Applications that require special consideration may be downloaded from the department’s website and emailed to info@immigration.gov.bn.

Further information on the travel ban can be directed to the department by calling 2383106.


Three more cases reported, total reaches 91

6.55pm | March 23, 2020

The number of COVID-19 cases has reached 91 after the Ministry of Health on Monday confirmed that another three people have contracted the coronavirus.

In a daily press briefing, Health Minister YB Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Mohammad Isham Hj Jaafar said two of the new cases had contact with a confirmed carrier of the virus.

The third case recently travelled to Surabaya with family and friends, returning through Royal Brunei Airlines flight BI796 on March 20.

The minister said one patient remains in critical condition and three require close monitoring.

A total of 1,634 people are placed in quarantine, while 282 have been released from their quarantine.

Brunei will also escalate its testing to improve the detection of COVID-19 cases in the country, YB Dato Dr Hj Md Isham said.

To date, 3,191 laboratory tests have been conducted.

The ministry will now test those who are undergoing mandatory isolation at designated monitoring centres or self-isolation at home, with priority given to those who share a room at monitoring centres.

To assist the government in controlling the spread of COVID-19, hotel, hostel and apartment owners were urged to offer their facilities as isolation centres for returning Bruneian students and travellers.

The minister said about 2,000 Bruneian students have returned home in the past few days and another 800 are expected to fly home in the next two days.

Addressing parents’ concerns over mandatory isolation, YB Dato Dr Hj Md Isham stressed that returning students should only isolate at home if they meet the criteria.

“Don’t remove your children from the monitoring centres just because they complain,” he said. “Isolation is not a holiday. This is only for 14 days.”

Some people don’t want to stay in hostels, or the level of comfort is not what they expect, the minister said, acknowledging that arranging thousands of rooms in such a short period of time was a huge challenge.

“But all this is for the sake of our country… to control the outbreak. We depend on your trust and we hope that people will cooperate, especially parents.”

Accommodation owners can contact the National Disaster Management Centre’s 24-hour hotline at 7190521 to express their interest in providing shelter to the returning Bruneian students.

Full statement from MoH:

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Gov’t to allow incoming travellers to self-isolate at home

9.38pm | March 22, 2020

A bus driver in full protective gear waits at Brunei International Airport to transport inbound passengers to designated isolation centres on March 21, 2020. Photo: Fazizul Haqimie

The Ministry of Health announced today that inbound passengers to Brunei will be allowed to self-isolate at home, going back on a previous directive which required them to be isolated at designated monitoring centres for 14 days.

The reversal comes after families of returning Bruneian students complained that rooms at monitoring centres were too small and that the food was “insufficient”, health minister YB Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Md Isham Hj Jaafar said during the daily COVID-19 press briefing.

Mandatory self-isolation for inbound travellers is required by law, as part of efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus in the country, which now has 88 confirmed cases. Failure to comply may result in a penalty of up to six months in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

Incoming travellers — both local and foreign — will have the option of being isolated in their homes, but they must fulfill certain criteria such as having a room with a separate toilet. Otherwise, they will be putting their families at risk, the health minister said.

Individuals who choose to self-isolate at home are also required to undergo COVID-19 testing within 24 hours of arriving in Brunei.

“Even if their test comes up negative, they must still complete 14 days in isolation,” YB Dato Dr Hj Md Isham said.

People who wish to stay at monitoring centres for their isolation period will still be able to do so. The government has assigned several hotels as monitoring centres, including the Rizqun International Hotel, Mulia Hotel and The Empire Brunei.

If you want to undergo self-isolation at home, you must fulfill the following criteria:

  • There must be a separate room in the house for self-isolation with its own toilet
  • There are no high-risk family members in the home
  • They must sign a contract saying that they will comply with government’s self-isolation notice and not leave their rooms for 14 days.
  • They must undergo COVID-19 testing within 24 hours of arriving in Brunei. Testing will be conducted at the Sports Complex, RIPAS Hospital.

Only one family member is allowed to pick up an arriving passenger at the airport and he/she must be separated and isolated from the as soon as they reach home.

See the Ministry of Health’s guidelines on self-isolation: 

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COVID-19 infections rise to 88

6.04pm | March 22, 2020

The number of COVID-19 cases has risen to 88 after the health ministry confirmed five new cases on Sunday.

In a daily press briefing, Minister of Health YB Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Md Isham Hj Jaafar said four of the new cases were close contacts of people who tested positive for the coronavirus, while the fifth case was a local who recently returned from the UK on March 21.

One patient remains in critical condition, while another is out of danger and no longer requires breathing aid. Two other patients are being closely monitored.

Source: Ministry of Health

 

A total of 1,651 people have been placed under quarantine, while 200 people have been discharged after completing the mandatory 14 days.

When asked if the government would consider using apps to track contacts of coronavirus cases — a strategy employed in Singapore — the minister said the government is using artificial intelligence to help with contact tracing.

“This is still in the process [of development]. When it is already stable and can go live, it will be announced in a press conference.”

He added that one person tried to escape quarantine but has been apprehended by authorities.

He reminded the public that those issued a quarantine order must remain at their primary place of residence or designated quarantine centre.

Those who fail to comply with the order will be apprehended by law enforcement and face up to six months in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

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Sultan warns against complacency in COVID-19 fight

10.38pm | March 21, 2020

His Majesty Sultan Hj Hassanal Bolkiah has warned against complacency in combating the COVID-19 outbreak as its impact is expected to last for a long time.

Addressing the nation in a special COVID-19 titah broadcasted on Radio Televisyen Brunei, he said Brunei must be ready and united to deal with the pandemic.

“This is our collective responsibility, nobody can run away from this responsibility,” he said, adding that some members of the public have refused to heed government instructions.

Full story here


Viral video lands youth in court

9.45pm | March 21, 2020

A 22-year-old man has been charged with using indecent and insulting words to mock the public’s fear over the COVID-19 outbreak, which prosecutors say was intended to breach public peace.

On March 19 Mohammad Norhadzrin Mohammad Jamain uploaded a 36-second video clip to his Instagram account, where he encouraged people to disregard public health advice to stay at home during the outbreak. 

He said “only those who fear death should stay home” and told followers that they “should fear God instead”. He also claimed the virus was “man-made” and told the public to calm down if people still choose to go out.

No plea was taken and the defendant will next appear in the KB court on March 28.

If found guilty, he faces a fine of $500.


31 Royal Brunei Airlines staff test negative for COVID-19

9.18pm | March 21, 2020

None of the 31 Royal Brunei Airlines (RB) staff who were tested for COVID-19 contracted the virus, the second minister of finance and economy said.

Responding to a question that was posed in a press conference on Friday, YB Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Mohd Amin Liew Abdullah said 31 of the RB crew members tested negative while six have been released from self-isolation.

On-duty pilots and cabin crew will be tested when a passenger tests positive for the coronavirus.

The minister said the national carrier requires all its crew members to take measures such as wearing protective masks and gloves (when necessary), practising good personal hygiene and undergoing body temperature screening before and after their flights.

All RB planes are disinfected, including the cabin, desks, seats and inflight entertainment screens. All used and unused headsets, pillows and blankets are also replaced after each flight.


MoFE announces measures to help businesses

7.58pm | March 21, 2020

Second Minister of Finance and Economy YB Dato Dr Hj Mohd Amin. Photo: Ain Bandial/The Scoop

The Ministry of Finance and Economy has unveiled a number of measures to help businesses survive the coronavirus-induced economic downturn, including deferment of social security contributions for local workers earning $1,500 and below.

The six-month deferment of Employees Trust Fund (TAP) and Supplementary Contributory Pension (SCP) contributions applies to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in all sectors, said Second Finance and Economy Minister YB Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Mohd Amin Liew Abdullah.

Companies that qualify for the TAP and SCP contribution deferment are required to repay the government within one year after the deferral period, which starts on April 1.

The government will also contribute to the SCP fund of self-employed workers for six months to ensure they will continue to have survivorship fund protection.

In addition, MSMEs in four sectors will get 30 percent rental fee discount from government buildings and corporate tax discount of up to 50 percent to help reduce their costs.

The four sectors are tourism, hospitality (including hotels and registered lodging houses), food and beverage as well as air and water transport.

These MSMEs will further enjoy a 15 percent cut on water and electricity bills.

The Manpower and Employment Council will also extend the contract of i-Ready apprentices for up to six months, specifically for interns whose contract ends before September 2020.


COVID-19 relief fund launched

7.37pm | March 21, 2020

The government has launched a COVID-19 relief fund on Saturday that allows the public and companies to donate money to help the Ministry of Health purchase medical equipment and other essential items.

Second Finance and Economy Minister YB Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Mohd Amin Liew Abdullah said many in-kind donations have been received from companies to assist healthcare workers in the country.

The ministry’s Treasury Department will manage the fund to ensure the donations are used appropriately.

Donations can be made via BIBD online bank transfer starting March 21. Details are as follows:

BIBD A/C name: COVID-19 Relief Fund

A/C no: 1010070123


Five new COVID-19 cases, total stands at 83

6.09pm | March 21, 2020

 

The Ministry of Health has confirmed five more COVID-19 cases on Saturday, including a six-month old baby. The total number of COVID-19 cases now stands at 83.

In a daily press briefing, Health Minister YB Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Md Isham Hj Jaafar said another patient has fully recovered, bringing the total number of discharged patients to two.

All five new cases are close contacts of people who tested positive for the coronavirus.

One of the cases had initially tested negative for COVID-19, but started developing symptoms while in quarantine.

Two patients are still in critical condition and six require close monitoring.

The minister said no healthcare workers have been infected to date, even though they have a high risk of contracting the virus.

A total of 1,633 people are in quarantine, while 101 people have completed their 14-day quarantine.

The ministry has conducted 2,699 laboratory tests since January.

Full statement from MoH here: 

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Hengyi donates US$1 million in medical supplies to MoH

5.16pm | March 21, 2020

Brunei-China joint venture Hengyi Industries has donated US$1 million worth of medical supplies to the Ministry of Health to help the Brunei government mitigate the impact of COVID-19 infection.

In a press release issued on Saturday, the Ministry of Health said the first batch of donations that will arrive next week include five ventilators and 50 units of electric hospital beds.


MoHA suspends applications for recruitment of new foreign workers

11.27pm | March 20, 2020

The government will suspend applications to bring foreign workers into the country beginning Saturday, March 21 in view of the COVID-19 outbreak.

However, the Ministry of Home Affairs will still assess specific applications to ensure critical operations of certain sectors can continue.

The suspension will affect applications in the following categories:

  1. Applications for new foreign workers under the Foreign Workers License (LPA), including those submitted before March 21, 2020.
  2. Applications for domestic workers, including those submitted before March 21, 2020.
  3. Applications for work visas, including those submitted before March 21, 2020.

The suspension also applies to work permits issued by the Department of Immigration & National Registration, and work visas issued by Brunei’s embassies and high commissions overseas.

In a press conference, the Minister of Home Affairs urged foreign workers who already have work visas and re-entry visas to delay their travel to Brunei if they are still in their home country.

YB Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Hj Abu Bakar Hj Apong said applications to renew the LPA for foreign workers who are already in Brunei will be accepted and processed.

For more information, members of the public can call Labour Department at 2301848 (office hours) or 7298989 (outside office hours). They can also go to the National Immigration and Registration Department website or call 2383106.


MoH to build new virology lab to increase COVID-19 testing

9.36pm | March 20, 2020

The construction of a new virology laboratory is expected to be completed in two weeks to meet the growing need for COVID-19 tests, the health minister said.

YB Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Mohammad Isham Hj Jaafar said His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah has given his consent to build the new testing lab on Jalan Sumbiling.

In a press conference, he said the new lab will improve Brunei’s testing capacity.

The ministry conducts 50 to 60 COVID-19 tests daily in the early stages of the outbreak, but this number has now doubled.

To date, a total of 2,468 laboratory tests have been conducted.

“On average, the cost of COVID-19 tests is expensive. The government has spent millions of dollars,” the minister said.

He added that all individuals who are placed in quarantine centres will get tested, including high-risk groups such as close contacts of coronavirus-infected patients.

Individuals isolated at monitoring centres will only be tested when they develop symptoms.


COVID-19 cases now at 78, one patient makes full recovery

8.52pm | March 20, 2020

The number of COVID-19 cases has risen to 78 after five more people contracted the virus, while one patient has made a full recovery, the health minister said on Friday.

Giving his daily COVID-19 updates in a press conference, YB Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Mohammad Isham Hj Jaafar said the first recovered patient has been discharged but is still required to undergo self-isolation at home for seven days.

The unidentified patient was released from the National Isolation Centre less than two weeks since the first COVID-19 case was detected.

Four of the new cases did not travel recently but were close contacts of an infected patient.

The other confirmed case involved a British expat who arrived through a Royal Brunei Airlines flight from the UK on March 16. He was reported to be sitting close to another coronavirus-infected passenger who continued his journey to Hong Kong.

There are currently two critically ill patients who need breathing aid and five are being closely monitored.

 

YB Dato Dr Hj Md Isham said six Bruneians who are in Kuala Lumpur have tested positive for COVID-19. They are linked to the Tabligh cluster in the Malaysian capital’s Sri Petaling Mosque.

A total of 1,664 people are placed in quarantine, while 101 people have completed their quarantine.

The minister further clarified that the mandatory isolation for incoming passengers, which started on Friday, applies to all incoming travellers to Brunei, including tourists.

Some hotels, apartments and hostels have been turned into monitoring centres to house inbound travellers for 14 days as part of measures to contain COVID-19.

Foreign nationals are required to bear the $30 to $50 hotel and meal expenses while in isolation. However, testing and treatment for COVID-19 is free for all in Brunei, regardless of nationality.

Full statement from MoH: 

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Police refute rumours of movement restrictions

10.28pm | March 19, 2020

Source: RBPF

The Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) has debunked a viral social media post claiming that it has declared restrictions on movement and ordered all residents to immediately return home.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the police denied releasing such information and slammed individuals who spread fake news.

“Despite the government’s efforts in dealing with the COVID-19 outbreak, there are a few irresponsible individuals who take the opportunity to spread false information, which indirectly caused the public to worry,” the statement read.

RBPF added that it is constantly monitoring to ensure misinformation is promptly refuted to avoid spreading negative sentiments that can cause public chaos.


No restrictions on cross-border delivery of goods

9.58pm | March 19, 2020

Domestic and foreign transport companies are not restricted from entering and leaving Brunei for the delivery of goods, the second finance and economy minister said.

In a press conference, YB Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Mohd Amin Liew Abdullah said the Sarawak state government has also agreed to allow Brunei companies to enter and leave its territory to conduct cross-border shipping.

Malaysia earlier this week restricted people’s movement nationwide to combat the spread of COVID-19.


Banks to allow deferral of loan payment for businesses in four sectors

8.58pm | March 19, 2020

The government has reached an agreement with banks to defer the payment of loans for businesses in four sectors as part of measures to alleviate their financial burden due to COVID-19.

Second Finance and Economy Minister YB Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Mohd Amin Liew Abdullah said the six-month deferment on principal repayment of loans will take effect on April 1.

Announcing the measures in a press conference, he said the deferment period applies to businesses in the tourism, hospitality and events management, food and beverage as well as air transport sectors.

Companies in these sectors are still required to pay the loan interest during the six-month period.

The minister said with the exception of third-party charges, all bank fees and charges related to trade and payment transactions will also be waived for six months to help the companies sustain their business.

Full statement from AMBD: 

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Borders to close at 8pm from March 21

8.32pm | March 19, 2020

The Ministry of Home Affairs has further shortened the opening hours of immigration control posts.

Border checkpoints will now operate from 6am to 8pm starting March 21, according to a statement from the ministry.

All residents of Brunei are currently banned from leaving the country as part of efforts to contain the coronavirus, but commercial and logistics vehicles will still be allowed to enter and leave the territory.


Mandatory isolation for all incoming travellers to Brunei

8.02pm | March 19, 2020

Brunei has revised its quarantine requirements for all air passengers arriving in the sultanate to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Incoming travellers were previously told to undergo 14-day isolation at home, but they will now be placed in “monitoring centres” for 14 days.

Health minister YB Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Md Isham Jaafar said the new measure will begin from March 20.

Those placed in monitoring centres are separated from those in quarantine shelters, who are considered high-risk because they have had close contact with confirmed COVID-19 cases.

Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism YB Dato Seri Setia Hj Ali Apong said hotels may be turned into temporary monitoring centres given that the COVID-19 outbreak has affected hotel occupancy rates.

He added that Bruneian students abroad will undergo their isolation period at hotels when they return to the country.

The government may also turn more venues into quarantine centres if the need arises, the health minister said, adding that the risk of community transmission of COVID-19 is “very real”.

Four venues are currently being used as makeshift quarantine shelters, including the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium’s Games Village.


COVID-19 cases increase to 73

5.14pm | March 19, 2020

The Ministry of Health has announced five more COVID-19 cases today, bringing the total to 75 since the first case was detected 10 days ago.

Health Minister YB Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Mohammad Isham Jaafar said three of the new cases were close contacts from previously confirmed cases, while one recently returned from a family holiday in Malaysia.

In a press conference, he said another new coronavirus-infected patient recently travelled to United Kingdom with his family and returned on a Royal Brunei Airlines flight on March 16.

Two patients are still in critical condition and require breathing support, while two are being closely monitored.

A total of 1,486 people have been placed in quarantine and 99 people have completed their 14-day isolation thus far.

 

The minister also warned private sector employers against cutting the pay of staff who were ordered by the government to undergo quarantine or self-isolation.

Any employer who deducts the quarantined staff’s annual leave and wages can be reported to the Labour Department by calling 2381848 during office hours and 7298989 outside office hours, he said.

Full statement from MoH: 

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MoHA clarifies travel ban

10.49am | March 19, 2020

Following the implementation of a ban on travellers who have been to Europe (including the UK), Iran and Hubei, China in the past 14 days, the Ministry of Home Affairs clarified the types of residents that will still be allowed to re-enter Brunei:

  1. Citizens and permanent residents of Brunei
  2. Foreign nationals with a green IC
  3. Foreign nationals with a valid immigration pass, employment pass, student pass, or dependent pass
  4. Diplomats working in Brunei and their dependents
  5. British troops based in Brunei and dependents