REF: 20210903TA8
3rd Sep 2021
Connexus Travel
Travel Alert
Brunei extends tightened restrictions through Oct. 3 due to COVID-19 activity. International travel curbs continue.
Dear Corporate Clients,
Authorities extended tightened restrictions nationwide through Oct. 3 due to COVID-19 activity.
Domestic Restrictions
Officials continue to close several public facilities, such as mosques, child care centers, galleries, libraries, museums, playgrounds, senior citizens' activity centers, and sports centers. On-site activities at educational institutions remain suspended. Food establishments can only serve takeaway and delivery orders; dine-in services are banned. Gatherings are capped at 30 people. Officials have urged businesses to implement telecommuting to the extent possible. Business owners and customers have to download the BruHealth application. Masks are mandatory in all indoor venues and crowded outdoor spaces. Violators could face a BND 10,000 fine and six months' imprisonment.
The national carrier Royal Brunei Airlines (BI) continues to serve only limited routes. Operational flights include to and from Hangzhou, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, London, Manila, Melbourne, and Singapore.
Travel Restrictions
Most foreign nationals, including long-term pass holders, remain banned from entering or transiting Brunei. Exceptions are in place for foreigners on business and official travel, studying in Brunei, or undergoing medical treatment, and transport operators, among others. Most existing travel, student, and dependent visas remain suspended. Foreigners who can enter Brunei must obtain an Entry Travel Pass with a Bruneian citizen or entity as a guarantor, obtain a negative result from an RT-PCR test within 72 hours before travel, and quarantine up to 14 days at designated premises and undergo further RT-PCR tests upon arrival. Only vehicles with Transit Permits may pass through the borders. Transport operators who cross the borders frequently must undergo an RT-PCR test weekly.
A Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL) scheme with Singapore is in effect, allowing people to travel for business and official purposes to and from Singapore with exemption from quarantine requirements. Travelers from Singapore who have obtained entry approval under the RGL program must take a COVID-19 test upon arrival and remain in isolation for three days until the test returns negative.
Local nationals, permanent residents, and foreigners holding Bruneian identification cards remain barred from leaving the country. Only individuals departing to work abroad, seek medical treatment, or resume studies overseas can leave Brunei after obtaining approval from the Prime Minister's Office. People who are departing from Brunei must obtain COVID-19 vaccination before the trips. Outbound local citizens and permanent residents who require COVID-19 tests have to pay BND 100, while outbound foreign nationals will have to pay BND 200.
Officials have suspended travel from Indonesia indefinitely since Aug. 22. Authorities continue to ban entry for foreign nationals traveling from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka through Sept. 15. Exemptions are in place for diplomatic pass holders and armed forces members. Officials have also suspended travel from Brunei to the five South Asian nations.
Connexus Travel would like to advise our clients to follow all official instructions. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions. Plan for possible ground shipping and travel delays; seek alternative routes and shipping methods for time-sensitive cargo.