BY Azlan Othman & Izah Azahari

The wearing of face masks outdoors is no longer mandatory in the Sultanate, said Minister of Home Affairs Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong on Thursday, adding that it is still encouraged in crowded places and during mass gatherings.

The minister said the decision was made in light of the decline in COVID-19 infection rates, coupled with the high national vaccination rate. However, he added, mask wearing will still be required inside public buildings.

The upcoming Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations will also see the easing of restrictions, with private residences allowed to accommodate a maximum of 30 guests for indoor events and 200 guests for outdoor events, said Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar.

With the pandemic kept under control, the minister said, “the reinstatement of mass gathering restrictions to those prior to the start of the third wave will enable us to celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri more comfortably and safely”.

He also advised the public “to undergo antigen rapid test prior to leaving the house to visit relatives, to wear face masks except while eating and drinking, avoid shaking hands and visiting in groups, and to stay at home if feeling unwell”.

Additionally, the minister said with the consent of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, the COVID-19 Steering Committee’s updated guidelines have been extended to May 31.

Meanwhile, Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar shed light on (RT-PCR) swab testing for travellers, noting that “the need to carry out the RT-PCR swab test prior to departure depends on requirements set by the destination country”.

The minister reiterated, “The Brunei Government does not require individuals to undergo a RT-PCR swab prior to departure. So should Malaysia, for example, no longer require the RT-PCR as a pre-requisite to enter the country, then individuals do not need to take the test.”

“The same applies to all countries that do not require the RT-PCR or antigen rapid test (ART)”, he said, in response to a query raised at the daily press conference relating to the recent announcement that Malaysia will allow fully vaccinated individuals to enter the country without RT-PCR or ART screening.

Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham reminded the public to be mindful before purchasing airline tickets in ensuring they meet the entry requirements of the intended destinations.

“Many countries now no longer require the RT-PCR test, so individuals will no longer have to carry it out here, before departing,” he said.

-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin