Brunei's border would be partially closed till April 15th

[ASEAN NOW Content Team]

 

While many Sarawakians are celebrating the announcement that international borders will reopen fully on April 1, the border with Brunei will remain partially closed until April 15.

During a visit to the Sungai Tujuh Customs, Quarantine, and Security (ICQS) complex yesterday, Transport Minister Datuk Sri Lee Kim Shin confirmed this.

Dr. Jack Wong, the director of Miri Hospital, and Dr. P Raviwharmman, the divisional health officer, were also there.

 

"The Brunei Consulate has just informed me that the Brunei government has not made any orders on the matter and that their border will remain partially closed until April 15," he stated.

Lee said the government was prepared and would not have a problem receiving visitors from Brunei as long as they followed the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee's standard operating procedures (SOP) (SDMC).

"The Brunei border is currently closed to all but essential services, and those entering must pass a PCR test."

 

"Those who have tested positive for Covid-19 in the last 90 days would not be required to take a PCR test (to enter Brunei), but they must have a letter from the Health Ministry as proof (of Covid-19 infection) to show Brunei officials," he added.

Brunei's Covid-19 Steering Committee has extended its Early Endemic Phase under the Covid-19 National Recovery Plan Framework until April 15, according to an official news release issued on March 26.

Lee was visiting the Sungai Tujuh CIQS yesterday with members of the Miri Divisional Disaster Management Committee (MDDMC) to view the preparations for the reopening of the Sarawak-Brunei border on April 1.

 

He added that the MDDMC had also chosen a larger venue to conduct Covid-19 screening procedures for visitors and foreigners crossing the Sungai Tujuh border into Sarawak.

"At the entrance to the CIQS complex, two canopies have been installed, which we will begin utilising on April 1."
However, I expect more guests after two weeks, and the two canopies will be insufficient.

"We've located a larger space immediately outside the entrance (the parking area of shoplots outside the complex) where we can conduct Covid-19 screening in the future," he explained.