Brunei’s Ministry of Health announced the start of the new phase. The Middle Eastern kingdom is ready to enter a ‘new normal’ period after the COVID-19 pandemic’s peak, Xinhua news agency has learned.
In Brunei, the last case of local infection was reported over 300 days ago. As the COVID-19 infection is getting back, the authorities have announced further lifting of social distancing measures and implementation of new normal. In other words, the major social activities, including mass gathering, will start from March 8.
The top medical officer of Brunei said that the COVID-19 pandemic in the country is currently under control. Taking into account the global trend, the Ministry of Health announced more changes in the reduction of the social distancing measures. which will commence on March 8.
For Brunei, the changes include the implementation of new normal for activities in common public places. Since Monday, the religious and educational institutions, museums, sports facilities, restaurants, cinemas, stalls and markets start to open.
In addition to the improvement of the situation, the mass gathering limitation will also be expanded from 350 people to 1,000. The health ministry reminded the public to scan health QR codes at all premises and always practice personal hygiene such as washing hands regularly or using hand sanitiser, and using a face mask when in a crowded zone.
Brunei said the COVID-19 situation is under control
The health ministry reports on continuing to monitor the epidemiological situation of the outbreak at national, regional and global levels. The carrying out ongoing risk assessments to consider further de-escalation measures also underway.
The changes are for activities carried out within Brunei only by maintaining the current cross-border travel restrictions to strictly control the possibility of recurrence of corona pathogen in the country.
The Middle Eastern country reported one new imported case of COVID-19 from Jakarta on March 6, bringing the national tally to 189.
