TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS DUE TO COVID-19 OUTBREAK

Royal Brunei Airlines (RB) is closely monitoring the development of the coronavirus around the network and the directives from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the different Government Agencies in countries we serve. The safety of our crew and guests is our highest priority. We are working closely with the authorities to take measures to minimise the spread of the coronavirus and taking proactive measures for our guests and crew.

This includes proactive screening of the guests on the ground, safety measures to be taken by crew and guests on ground and in air. We also have in place a set of standard operating procedures to handle each flight, various inflight medical emergencies, including potentially infectious diseases.

All RB aircraft undergo a thorough cleaning and disinfectant process which includes cabin cleaning and wipe down of all tables, seat trims and inflight entertainment screens together with handsets. All headsets, pillows and blankets (used and unused) are removed after every flight. We carry on board disinfectant sprays, masks and hand sanitizers for additional preventive measures. Our aircraft is equipped with High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters with similar performance to those used in hospital operation theatres. The cabin air is refreshed every few minutes.

We have also introduced some changes to our in-flight services as a preventative measure.

In case of symptoms suggestive to respiratory illness before or after travel, travellers are encouraged to seek medical attention and share travel history with their health care provider.

RB is closely monitoring this situation and will provide further updates to the latest developments on this matter as appropriate. Follow RB on Twitter (@royalbruneiair) and Facebook for the latest updates, or flyRB.com or contact our customer service centre (+673 2212222) or local RB offices.

For more information, please visit Brunei Darussalam’s Ministry of Health updates on Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)

For the latest travel advisory from the Brunei Government please click here

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has published a comprehensive latest list for travel restrictions imposed by the various Countries. Additional information can be found here.Brunei Darussalam has extended precautionary measures to impose travel restriction and immigration facilities suspension with immediate effect. 

Any visitor from the Hubei Province, Zhejiang and Jiangsu or any passenger holding a China (People of Republic China) passport issued in Hubei province, Zhejiang and Jiangsu are not allowed to transit or enter Brunei Darussalam, with the exception of citizens and Permanent Residents of Brunei Darussalam. 

Citizens or Permanent Residents of Brunei Darussalam as well as long-term visa holders who haven been in other regions of the People’s Republic of China within 14 days of arriving in Brunei Darussalam are required to undergo self-isolation for 14 days upon arrival to this country; and 

Citizens or Permanent Residents of Brunei Darussalam who are in People’s Republic of China (regardless of provinces) are allowed to return to Brunei Darussalam. They will be required to undergo self-isolation for 14 days. On this matter, any citizen or Permanent Residents of Brunei Darussalam who are in the People’s Republic of China and are sick or unwell, is advised to postpone their return to the country and is also advised to seek the assistance of the Brunei Darussalam Embassy in People’s Republic of China for further advice. 

Any visitors who have been in the Islamic Republic of Iran and Italy within 14 days of arriving in Brunei Darussalam are not allowed into this country including for transit purposes, with exception of Citizens and Permanent Residents of Brunei Darussalam. 

HEALTH INFORMATION ON THE CURRENT SITUATION OF THE CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) INFECTION

1.         The Ministry of Health would like to inform the public on the latest status of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) infection. As of 5 March 2020, a total of 93,865 cases of the COVID-19 has been reported worldwide. The majority of the cases reported, which is a total of 80,409 cases are from the People's Republic of China. There are 156 cases reported outside of mainland China, namely Hong Kong SAR (China) (104 cases, 3 deaths), Macao SAR (China) (10 cases) and Taiwan (China) (42 cases, 1 death).

2.         As of 22 February 2020, significant increase has been reported in countries outside of the People's Republic of China of which 13,302 cases of the COVID-19 infection with 266 deaths has been reported in 77 countries worldwide.

3.         Following this, the Ministry of Health has reviewed the risk assessment of the affected countries by taking into account the profile of infection and its transmission as well as local situations. In following to this, the Ministry of Health would like to inform the public that any visitors who has been in the Islamic Republic of Iran and Italy within 14 days of arriving in Brunei Darussalam are not allowed into this country including for transit purposes. The restriction is similar to the existing restriction on visitors arriving from Hubei, Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces in the People's Republic of China, with the exception of citizens and permanent residents of Brunei Darussalam.

4.         As of 4 March 2020, all countries/areas/regions affected by the COVID-19 infection have been divided into four (4) categories:

5.        Members of the public are advised to avoid non-essential travel to the countries listed in Category A, B and C. At the same time, members of the public are also advised to avoid traveling outside of the country during the upcoming school holidays. However, those who are traveling abroad are advised to take precautionary measures and to prioritise personal hygiene practices to avoid any risk of infection. This especially applies to those who are at high risk such as those suffering from chronic diseases (diabetes, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, respiratory disease and cancer), as well as the elderly and smokers.

 6.        For citizens and permanent residents of Brunei Darussalam returning from the countries listed in Category A, they are required to undergo self-isolation at home for 14 days upon arrival. Self-isolation means isolating oneself from joining any activities involving the general public and is prohibited from leaving the house or receiving guests or going to public places during the isolation period, except for getting medical treatment. Anyone who requires confirmation on the self-isolation can contact the Disease Control Division, Ministry of Health at 2380316 or 2380318 during office hours. 

 7.        Whereas individuals arriving from countries listed in Category B and Category C are required to undergo self-monitoring without having to self-isolate themselves from others. Self-monitoring means monitoring one's health for 14 days without isolation and if symptoms of high fever or signs of respiratory infection develop such as dry cough or shortness of breath, immediate medical attention should be sought at any health centres.

8.        The Ministry of Health will regularly update the list of countries in all the categories, according to the current situation. Latest information on the countries listed in each category can be acquired by contacting the Health Advice Line at 2381380 and 2381383 during office hours or by visiting the Ministry of Health's website at www.moh.gov.bn/SitePages/COVID-19.aspx.

9.        Alhamdulillah so far, no cases of severe acute respiratory infections linked to COVID-19 has been detected in Brunei Darussalam.

10.    Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health would like to inform the public of the health status of the two Brunei nationals that have safely returned from Wuhan, People's Republic of China on 8 February 2020. Both individuals have completed their isolation period on 22 February 2020 and are in good health and showed no signs of infection. They have also undergone laboratory testing for COVID-19 virus during the isolation period where all the test results were negative.

11.    As a precautionary measure, members of the public are reminded to maintain the following good practices at all times:

• Observe good personal hygiene;
• Practice frequent hand washing with soap and clean water or using hand sanitiser (especially before handling food or eating, after going to toilet, or after coughing or sneezing);
• Wear a mask if you have respiratory symptoms such as a cough or runny nose;
• Cover your mouth with a tissue paper when coughing or sneezing, and dispose the soiled tissue paper in the rubbish bin immediately;
• Avoid close contact with people who are unwell or showing symptoms of illness such as high fever, cough or breathing difficulties;
• Avoid visiting people who are unwell if you are feeling unwell or have symptoms of infection; and
• Seek immediate medical attention if you are feeling unwell.

12.       The Ministry of Healthy continues to maintain a high level of preparedness and working alongside the World Health Organization (W.H.O) and neighbouring countries to control this situation. In this regard, the public is advised to continue to remain calm and to not panic. The Ministry of Health, from time to time, will endeavour to update the public on any current developments and measures being implemented in the country.

13.    For further information, members of the public can contact the Health Advice Line at 2381380 and 2381383 during office hours or Talian Darussalam 123 after office hours. For the latest updates on the COVID-19 infection, the public can visit the Ministry of Health's website at www.moh.gov.bn/SitePages/COVID-19.aspx.

This notice shall be valid for the period, until the instruction is reviewed or superseded by new updates of rules and regulations issued by respective authority or the department by means of an email, circular, memo or letter. 

Souces: Royal Brunei Airlines & Ministry of Health Brunei