Brunei (Travel Restrictions, COVID Tests & Quarantine Requirements)

This page was last updated on 16 December, 2021.

 

At a Glance

Travel Restrictions

Entry For Vaccinated Travelers: Partially Allowed
Tourist Entry: Banned
Testing: Covid19 test required for all countries.
Quarantine Required: Yes
Quarantine Details: Quarantine for 14 days required for all countries.

Local Restrictions

Lockdown in Effect: Partial
Events: Partially Allowed
Transport: Operational with restrictions
Shopping: Open
Restaurants and Bars: Open with restrictions
 

Detailed Travel Advisory

Published 02.12.2021
1. Passengers are not allowed to enter and transit.
– This does not apply to:
– nationals and permanent residents of Brunei Darussalam;
– passengers with a diplomatic passport. They must have an Entry Travel Pass letter issued by The Government of Brunei Darussalam and a return/onward ticket. They must not arrive from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe;
– members of the Armed Forces. They must not arrive from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe;
– passengers travelling on business or on duty with an Entry Travel Pass letter issued by the Government of Brunei Darussalam. They must have stayed in the country of departure in the last 14 days before departure and have a mobile device with the BruHealth app downloaded. They must not arrive from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe;
– passengers traveling on business or on duty from Singapore if they:
– have a valid Entry Travel Pass issued by Brunei Darussalam under the Brunei Darussalam-Singapore Reciprocal Green Lane; and
– have a visa to enter Brunei Darussalam (if they are a visa-required); and
– have a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test taken at most 72 hours before departure from the first embarkation point; and
– stayed in Singapore in the last 14 days before departure; and
– have a return ticket or proof of other transportation arrangements to depart from Brunei Darussalam.
More details can be found at http://www.pmo.gov.bn/travelportal/Home.aspx and https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg/rgl/outbound/faq#faq-outbound-brunei
2. Passengers must have a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test taken at most 48 hours before departure.
3. Passengers with an Entry Travel Pass letter issued by The Government of Brunei Darussalam must have a confirmed hotel reservation and download the BruHealth app in their mobile device.
– This does not apply to passengers with a diplomatic passport.
4. Passengers are subject to a COVID-19 RT-PCR test upon arrival.
5. Passengers must have a proof of payment for the PCR test.
– This does not apply to:
– nationals and permanent residents of Brunei Darussalam;
– passengers with a diplomatic passport.
6. Passengers could be subject to quarantine.
7. More details can be found at http://www.pmo.gov.bn/travelportal/Home.aspx

 

Detailed Tourist Information

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.
 

Lockdown Details

Brunei will ease some domestic restrictions starting Nov. 19 as part of the national COVID-19 recovery framework’s preparation phase. Daily curfew hours will be shortened to 22:00-04:00. Business premises including workplaces and dine-in services may reopen at 50 percent capacity or 200 people, whichever is lower; employees and customers must be fully vaccinated. Gatherings of fully vaccinated people may also take place with up to 200 participants or 50 percent capacity of the venue, whichever is lower. Indoor gatherings at residences may have up to 30 members according to residence size.

Ongoing local curbs will continue through Nov. 19. A nightly 20:00-04:00 curfew is in effect with exemptions for emergencies and essential workers. At most, two individuals may leave home to purchase essential items. Gatherings are prohibited with exemptions for funerals and wedding ceremonies. Only two family members may visit elderly relatives at one time. All employees must telecommute except for staff from essential sectors like agri-food, construction, electricity, forestry, health, hospitality, oil and gas, and transportation, among others. Food establishments may only offer delivery and takeaway services. Non-essential businesses must close by 20:00. Places of worship, sports facilities, personal care services, and recreational venues are closed. Supermarkets may continue to operate with health protocols in place.

Authorities will likely maintain heightened security to ensure compliance with restrictions. Business owners and customers are required to download the BruHealth application. Individuals must scan a QR code when entering or exiting any premises and activate the Bluetooth function on their phones while in public places. Only those with green or yellow health codes may enter public premises. Violators could face a BND 10,000 fine and six months’ imprisonment; businesses flouting rules may face closures. Facemasks are mandatory in public, but not required when alone or exercising. People who violate ongoing measures will face a fine of BND 500.
 

Sources

https://www.bruneitourism.com/covid19-travellers-advisory/
Data Source: covidcontrols.co