What's the government response timeline for Brunei?

The Ministry of Health has a website with all relevant information on Coronavirus. It also brings statements to the population often. Campaign website: /web/20200404203230/ http://www.moh.gov.bn/SitePages/COVID-19.aspx According to this source, campaign started on January 6: /web/20200404203313/ https://sites.google.com/site/weechiankoh/home/Covid-19

The Brunei government has barred China’s Hubei residents from entering the country starting January 30 as part of preventive measures to contain the new coronavirus outbreak. Source: https://thescoop.co/2020/01/30/brunei-bans-entry-of-visitors-with-recent-hubei-travel-history/

Travellers entering Brunei in all of its seven entry points will be subjected to temperature screening starting February 1 Source: https://thescoop.co/2020/02/01/wuhan-coronavirus-moh-starts-health-screening-at-all-entry-points/

/web/20200404205427/ http://www.moh.gov.bn/SitePages/FAQCOVID19.aspx Policy is to test anyone that has had contact or has arrived from abroad and developed symptoms At present, any citizen and permanent resident of Brunei Darussalam or foreigner within the country is eligible for the COVID-19 testing (free of charge) if they meet any of the following: • Close contacts of confirmed cases - they include household members, those who shared meals with you or attended a close family gathering with you, those who were with you in an enclosed room for 30 minutes or more and those who are working in close proximity or sharing work space with you. • Those who have a travel history to affected countries in the last 14 days and have developed fever and/or respiratory symptoms.

Thi appears to be the Ministry of Education's press release about the new dates for schools: http://www.moe.gov.bn/SitePages/NewsArticle.aspx?AID=637

On March 10th, Brunei’s Ministry of Education announced that the first school term break scheduled for March 16 would be moved up to March 11. /web/20200404181841/ http://www.moe.gov.bn/SitePages/NewsArticle.aspx?AID=636 On March 25, the Minister announced classes would be held online, effective since March 30 Official statements at: /web/20200405011037/ https://thescoop.co/2020/03/13/covid-19-live-updates/

On 13 March, the Ministry of Health informed the public that all mass gatherings including weddings and sports events are temporarily prohibited. Source: http://www.moh.gov.bn/Shared%20Documents/2019%20ncov/press%20releases/FINAL_ENG_PRESS%20STATEMENT%20COVID-19_13.03.2020.pdf

On 13 March, the Ministry of Health informed the public that all mass gatherings including weddings and sports events are temporarily prohibited. Source: http://www.moh.gov.bn/Shared%20Documents/2019%20ncov/press%20releases/FINAL_ENG_PRESS%20STATEMENT%20COVID-19_13.03.2020.pdf

The government has expanded travel restrictions, barring foreign visitors who have been to Europe, including the UK, in the past fortnight from entering Brunei. Source: https://thescoop.co/2020/03/13/covid-19-live-updates/3/

Following the statement released by the Ministry of Home Affairs on Monday, 23 March 2020, no foreign nationals will be allowed entry to Brunei Darussalam whether by land, sea or air until further notice and this prohibition includes foreign nationals entering the country for transit. Sources: http://www.moh.gov.bn/Shared%20Documents/2019%20ncov/press%20releases/Media%20statement%20on%20the%20current%20situation%20of%20COVID-19%20in%20Brunei%20Darussalam%20%2824.03.2020%29.pdf ; https://www.flyroyalbrunei.com/brunei/en/covid-19-updates/

On 28 March, the Second Finance and Economy Minister announced that the government will pay 25 percent of private sector employees’ salaries in micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) for three months as part of additional measures to help businesses ride out the economic slowdown triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. Source: https://thescoop.co/2020/03/13/covid-19-live-updates/

In cases where measures to make the workplaces safer in reducing infection transmission such as temporary redeployment or making other work arrangements have been undertaken but has been further assessed by the employer that they may still pose an increased risk to the vulnerable worker, then, wherever possible, the employer may consider for vulnerable employees to work by telecommunicating from home, provided that there are means of monitoring work hours, work output, remote access and connectivity to workplace and colleagues. Source: http://www.moh.gov.bn/Shared%20Documents/2019%20ncov/guidelines/MOH%27s%20Guidelines%20for%20vulnerable%20populations%20%283%20April%202020%29.pdf

The Ministry of Health has provided advisory for safe use of public facilities, such as public transportation, but other tan recommendations there is no measure closing it. /web/20200404195342/ http://www.moh.gov.bn/Shared%20Documents/2019%20ncov/guidelines/ADVISORY%20FOR%20SAFE%20USE%20OF%20PUBLIC%20FACILITIES.pdf

On 5 April, the second minister of finance and economy said that not all civil servants will be allowed to work from home during the COVID-19 outbreak, explaining that employers should be given flexibility when adjusting to Brunei’s partial shutdown. “There cannot be a straightforward directive applicable to all types of business or government activities... There are companies who don’t have flexibility and limited resources… Therefore we need to have a balance.” Source: https://thescoop.co/2020/04/04/covid-19-live-updates-2/3/

“The people should always practise physical and social distancing by avoiding going to retail stores, business outlets and markets in large crowds as previously stated. This is in addition to complying with restrictions on mass gatherings and practising personal hygiene and maintaining a clean environment, ” the minister said. Source: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/regional/2020/04/11/brunei-sees-first-covid-19-case-after-five-days-seven-more-recoveries

“The Ministry of Health (MoH) has announced an update to the Guideline for Mass Gathering yesterday (April 23). (...) Events or activities that are permitted, subject to precautionary measures are personal and family activities such as Tahlil, Doa Selamat and prayers at their own private residence/ home; marriage registration and solemnisation; meetings, conferences, training courses and job interviews including written examinations; and recreational activities (sports and physical activities) in the open area and guided by the Municipal Department of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA); Forestry Department of the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism (MPRT); Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation (JASTRE) of the Ministry of Development (MoD); and the Ministry Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS). (…) For personal and family activities as well religious activities such as Tahlil, Doa Selamat and prayer at home alone, the steps include limiting the attendance of family members to not more than 30 people (subject to home size).” Source: https://borneobulletin.com.bn/moh-updates-guidelines-for-mass-gathering/

"The Ministry of Health (MoH) has announced an update to the Guideline for Mass Gathering yesterday (April 23). (...) In the context of COVID-19 in Brunei Darussalam, an example of mass gathering not permitted at present include all cultural, recreational and entertainment events; personal or social events, religious events, weddings, anniversaries and festivals involving the use of public places especially enclosed venue such as banquet halls, restaurants and other venues." Source: https://borneobulletin.com.bn/moh-updates-guidelines-for-mass-gathering/

Source: https://en.unesco.org/covid19/educationresponse

“(…) the main purpose of the app is contact tracing. He added that it will be the new norm for the public as they will be required to fill in an assessment form daily for which they will receive a code. The minister explained that if the code they receive is green that means they can move about, while a red code means otherwise. A yellow code is up for appeal to doctors who will reply and issue a certificate to the applicant and so on. He said the method of application is currently being refined, especially in terms of its dual-language system, in Malay and English.” Source: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1265892/coronavirus-pandemic-brunei-mulls-lifting-restrictions-in-stages

Six types of premises will be allowed to reopen on May 16, including restaurants, gyms and sports facilities, driving schools as well as stalls and markets as part of the government’s “de-escalation plan” to ease coronavirus restrictions. While eateries, markets and sports facilities are now allowed to reopen, they are only permitted host 30 percent of their capacity at any one time. /web/20200521022736/ https://thescoop.co/2020/05/01/covid-19-live-updates-3/

May 14: Gov’t launches BruHealth contact tracing app. The government has rolled out its BruHealth contact tracing app on Thursday following the announcement on easing of coronavirus curbs. Owners of six types of businesses – driving schools, gyms and fitness centres, indoor and outdoor sports facilities, golf courses, restaurants, cafés and food courts as well as stalls and markets – must download the app and register before they are allowed to reopen on May 16. All Brunei residents are expected to use the app every time they enter or leave business premises, allowing authorities to track potential carriers of COVID-19. Business owners will be required to apply for the re-opening of business premises before they are issued a customized QR code that will be used for the app. This may be extended to schools. The BruHealth app will be made mandatory for all Brunei residents “in the near future” as the COVID-19 pandemic might drag on until next year, the health minister said /web/20200521022736/ https://thescoop.co/2020/05/01/covid-19-live-updates-3/

Schools will partially reopen on June 2. Students in Year 6, 8, 10 Express, 11, 12 and 13 will go back to school in the first phase of restarting in-school learning. Priority will be given to students sitting for public exams. /web/20200601014130/ https://thescoop.co/2020/05/01/covid-19-live-updates-3/

The government has released another COVID-19 contact tracing app known as PremiseScan that allows businesses and premises to grant or deny the entry of Brunei residents who are unable to download the BruHealth mobile app due to phone incompatibility. /web/20200601014130/ https://thescoop.co/2020/05/01/covid-19-live-updates-3/

Mosques and other places of worship will reopen for Friday prayers this week after 10 weeks of closure as a precautionary measure against the spread of COVID-19. Reservations must be made beforehand through the BruHealth app. Those who are at a higher risk from coronavirus will not be allowed to enter mosques, including children under the age of 15. Only those with a green health code can perform Friday prayers at mosques. /web/20200601014130/ https://thescoop.co/2020/05/01/covid-19-live-updates-3/

Brunei restarted in-school learning on June 2 for students who are sitting for public exams. Students in Year 6, 8, 10 Express, 11, 12 and 13 will be the first group to return to schools in the first phase of reopening, while other pupils will continue with online lessons. https://thescoop.co/2020/05/21/brunei-partially-reopens-schools-on-june-2-as-coronavirus-concerns-ease/

Non-resident foreigners are not allowed to transit or enter Brunei. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/coronavirus-travel-restrictions-border-shutdowns-country-200318091505922.html

Brunei enters second phase of de-escalation plan. As part of the second phase of re-opening, restaurants, cafés and food courts will be able to operate at 60 percent of their full seating capacity at a time while market stalls can accommodate up to 75 percent of their dine-in customers at a particular period. Mosques, surau and prayer halls will also reopen for the five daily prayers, in addition to Friday prayers. Women and children under the age of 15 are still not allowed to attend Friday prayers but they can perform the five daily prayers at places of worship. Muslims with a yellow health code on the BruHealth system will also be permitted to participate in the five daily prayers at mosques. For driving schools, small classes will be authorised to run at 60 percent of the usual capacity. Safety guidelines that were put in place in the first phase will remain, including using the BruHealth app before entering and leaving the premises. /web/20200622011048/ https://thescoop.co/2020/06/01/covid-19-live-updates-4/

A total of 20,939 nursery and primary students are expected to return to schools on June 18 as part of the government’s second phase of reopening, the education minister said on Tuesday. /web/20200622011048/ https://thescoop.co/2020/06/01/covid-19-live-updates-4/

Brunei receives ‘travel bubble’ proposals from three countries. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has received two official offers from China and Singapore to restart bilateral travel, while waiting for Malaysia to submit their formal proposal that allows Bruneians to cross the border. Minister said there is no time frame for Brunei to decide on the ‘travel bubble’ plans. /web/20200622011048/ https://thescoop.co/2020/06/01/covid-19-live-updates-4/

Mosques, surau and religious halls will be able to conduct group activities from July 6 as part of the third phase of the de-escalation plan, the minister of religious affairs said. Group activities at places of worship are allowed for one hour and as long as the number of people does not exceed 50 people. https://thescoop.co/2020/06/01/covid-19-live-updates-4/

Brunei will not reopen its borders to non-essential travellers on August 1 when the new entry and exit fee regulations kick in, the acting controller of Royal Customs and Excise said. https://thescoop.co/2020/07/18/no-plans-to-reopen-brunei-borders-in-august/

All schools, including tertiary education institutions, can resume the “normal academic term” in the final phase of reopening from July 27, the education minister said. https://thescoop.co/2020/07/23/brunei-proceeds-to-final-phase-of-de-escalation-plan-on-july-27/

In the first level of the de-escalation plan, indoor and outdoor playgrounds as well as game arcades will be allowed to operate at 30 percent capacity from July 27. Cinemas will move to the second stage of reopening on July 27, operating at 60 percent of its total capacity compared to 30 percent in the first phase. Under Phase 4 of reopening, restaurants, cafés and food courts will be able to operate at full capacity from July 27, but buffets are still banned. Starting July 27, childcare centres can operate at 80 percent of their capacity compared to the previous 60 percent. Toddlers who are aged six months and above can return to childcare centres. The minister said museums and exhibition galleries will be authorised to operate every day, except Mondays, Fridays and public holidays while public libraries will open on normal working days. https://thescoop.co/2020/07/23/brunei-proceeds-to-final-phase-of-de-escalation-plan-on-july-27/

The government will loosen the limit on public and social gatherings from 50 to 100 people as Brunei enters the fourth and final phase of its de-escalation plan on July 27 following no reports of new COVID-19 cases for over two months. https://thescoop.co/2020/07/23/brunei-proceeds-to-final-phase-of-de-escalation-plan-on-july-27/

Members of the public are still required to comply with physical distancing guidelines even when businesses and public services return to full operations. https://thescoop.co/2020/07/23/brunei-proceeds-to-final-phase-of-de-escalation-plan-on-july-27/

On 13th August 2020, the Government raised the limit of people at public and social gatherings from 100 to 200 people at a time. https://thescoop.co/2020/08/13/govt-announces-further-easing-of-covid-19-curbs/

Beginning 14th August 2020, Brunei will reduce the cost of nasal swab testing to $350 for foreign nationals who have been granted permission to enter the country beginning. The government previously imposed a $1,000 fee on inbound foreigners for the COVID-19 test. https://thescoop.co/2020/08/13/govt-announces-further-easing-of-covid-19-curbs/

From 17th August 2020 onwards, Cinemas will proceed to the third stage of reopening, operating at 80 percent of its full capacity compared to 60 percent in the second phase, and children will be allowed to go to cinemas. Cinemagoers must be kept one seat apart but family members can sit together. Buffet restaurants will reopen, however only restaurant employees who wear protective face masks can serve food to the patrons. There is no capacity limit for dine-in at restaurants, cafés and food courts since the fourth phase of de-escalation plan took effect. indoor and outdoor playgrounds as well as game arcades can operate at 60 percent of their normal capacity. Museums, exhibition galleries and public libraries will also move to the final stage of reopening, hosting a maximum number of 100 people at a time as opposed to the previous 70 people. For senior citizen centres, attendance is capped at 80 percent at a specific time – an increase from 60 percent. Under the third phase of de-escalation plan, swimming pools are allowed to operate every day with no age restrictions and can accommodate 80 percent of its total capacity. Visitors of swimming pools can use the facilities up to two hours a day. The ministry has also increased the number of people allowed to train for team sports from 10 to 15 people. Special needs centres and childcare facilities will be able to resume full operations next Monday as part of the fourth phase of de-escalation plan, said the minister of culture, youth and sports. Children of all ages can return to childcare centres, except those who display flu symptoms such as fever or are at high risk of developing a severe infection. Special needs centres are also open to all, excluding those with chronic diseases. https://thescoop.co/2020/08/13/govt-announces-further-easing-of-covid-19-curbs/

Starting 17th August 2020, buses and water taxis can run at full capacity. Passengers must wear face masks on buses and scan the BruHealth QR code before boarding. Only passengers with green and yellow BruHealth codes can get on the bus. https://thescoop.co/2020/08/13/govt-announces-further-easing-of-covid-19-curbs/