IMPLEMENTATION OF MANDATORY ANTIGEN RAPID TESTING (ART) PROGRAMME FOR TRANSPORT OPERATORS AND OTHER ESSENTIAL TRAVELERS ENTERING BRUNEI DARUSSALAM VIA LAND CROSSINGS

The Ministry of Health would like to inform the public that the implementation of the mandatory Antigen Rapid Testing (ART) programme for transport operators and other essential travelers at all land border control posts in Brunei Darussalam commenced on Monday, 15 Zulhijjah 1442 / 26 July 2021.

The Antigen Rapid Test (ART) is a COVID-19 test administered to individuals to screen for the presence of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.  This test is mandatory for all transport operators and other essential travelers who must show a negative COVID-19 test result prior to being allowed entry to Brunei Darussalam. Ministry of Health staff have been stationed at land border control posts to facilitate the operation of the ART programme. COVID-19 test results are available within 10 minutes and a negative test result is only valid for the day of entry. Re-testing is required for entry into the country in the following days.

By implementing ART at land border control posts, the Ministry of Health aims to prevent the importation and subsequent onward transmission of the COVID-19 infection in Brunei Darussalam. All individuals who meet the criteria for entry to Brunei Darussalam must undergo Antigen Rapid Testing regardless of vaccination status.

Transport operators originating from Brunei Darussalam with a positive ART result will be immediately isolated for further examination. Meanwhile, for transport operators and other essential travelers from abroad will be denied entry should they have an ART positive result on the day of entry. In addition to ART, RT-PCR tests on all transport operators, whether originating from Brunei Darussalam or from Malaysia will still be required according to the schedules that have been set.

For more information and the latest developments, the public can visit the Ministry of Health's website at www.moh.gov.bn or call the Health Advice Line 148 during office hours.

Date          : 17 Zulhijjah 1442 / 28 July 2021