Brunei: Authorities ban entry for foreigners traveling from five South Asian countries through June 13 due to COVID-19 /update 23

Event

Brunei has banned the entry of foreign nationals traveling from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka through June 13 due to concerns over a new COVID-19 variant. Exemptions are in place for diplomatic pass holders and armed forces members.

Authorities continue to enforce domestic restrictions as of May 18. Public facilities, such as educational, recreational, and religious venues and food establishments, can operate at full capacity. However, authorities continue to encourage health protocols, such as advising workers to wear facemasks and visitors to sanitize their hands frequently. Mass gatherings with up to 1,000 people can occur. Large events like trade fairs and bazaars can continue to occur with rules, such as requiring workers to wear masks, spacing booths at least three meters apart, and barring entry for people showing flu-like symptoms. Organizers of these events must apply to the Ministry of Home Affairs. Business owners and customers have to download the BruHealth application. Violators could face a BND 10,000 (USD 7,100) fine and six months' imprisonment. Officials could reintroduce or expand restrictions in the coming weeks if COVID-19 activity increases in-country.

The national carrier Royal Brunei Airlines (BI) continues to serve only limited routes. The services that remain operational include flights 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. Existing travel, student, and dependent visas remain suspended, with limited exceptions. Foreigners who can enter Brunei include foreigners on business and official travel, studying in Brunei, or undergoing medical treatment, among others. Foreigners entering Brunei must obtain an Entry Travel Pass with a Bruneian citizen or entity as a guarantor, obtain a negative result from a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (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. Travelers can leave the isolation sites upon testing negative for COVID-19.

A ban for persons traveling for business and transporters of nonessential goods on traveling or transiting by land and sea remains in effect. Exemptions are in place for transport workers of essential goods, emergency service workers and patients, and people on government affairs, among others. Transport operators who cross the borders frequently must undergo an RT-PCR test weekly.

Brunei allows travel for business and official purposes with Singapore in a so-called Reciprocal Green Lane scheme. For travelers from Singapore, a Bruneian host company or government agency must apply for the employee's travel pass and controlled itinerary for the first 14 days in Brunei. The travelers must have remained in Singapore for 14 days before travel, obtain a visa if applicable, purchase a return flight ticket, test negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours before departure, and download the BruHealth contact tracing application. Upon arrival, the employees must test for COVID-19, remain in their pre-approved accommodation place until the test returns negative, and adhere to a controlled itinerary.

Local nationals, permanent residents, and foreigners holding Bruneian identification cards remain barred from leaving the country. Only people departing to seek medical treatment or resume studies overseas can leave Brunei after obtaining approval from the Prime Minister's Office. Outbound local citizens and permanent residents who require COVID-19 tests have to pay BND 100 (USD 75), while outbound foreign nationals will have to pay BND 200 (USD 149); students, government employees on official duty, and people with permission from the Ministry of Health are exempt.

Advice

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.

Resources

Ministry of Health
Ministry of Home Affairs
Prime Minister's Office
Entry Travel Pass application
BruHealth application
World Health Organization (WHO)