Brunei: 147 Indonesians flown home; health ministry says no new Covid-19 cases

Indonesian nationals queuing at the Departure Hall of the Brunei International Airport. - The Borneo Bulletin/Asian News Network

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Aug 11 (Borneo Bulletin/ANN): Some 147 Indonesian nationals boarded the 7th special flight operated by Royal Brunei Airlines (RB) last Sunday (Aug 9) to Surabaya, Indonesia.

The Indonesian Embassy in Brunei Darussalam assisted the repatriation of its citizens and embassy officials were present at the Brunei International Airport to provide each passenger with gloves, face mask and travel permit as well as a Health Alert Card issued by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia.

Indonesian Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Dr Sujatmiko expressed hope that by next month, RB would resume its flights to Indonesian cities as the demand for flights to Indonesia remains high.

The envoy added that every month, there are a number of Indonesian nationals who have finished their contracts and need to return home. Thus, the embassy is planning to facilitate more flights to Jakarta on August 19 and 23.

The Indonesian Embassy had previously facilitated six repatriation flights with five to Jakarta and one to Surabaya between May and July. So far, 1,059 Indonesian nationals have been flown home. Besides the repatriation of the seriously ill, majority of Indonesians who have returned to their home country have been migrant workers in Brunei whose employment contracts expired.

Upon arrival in their home country, the passengers will undergo Covid-19 (coronavirus) screening procedures including a swab test and mandatory 14-day quarantine.

Meanwhile, Brunei also reported no new cases of Covid-19 on Monday with the national tally of cases standing at 142.

According to Brunei's Ministry of Health, no more recoveries were recorded on Monday, maintaining the total number of recovered cases at 138.

There is one active case being treated at the National Isolation Centre, who was recorded on Friday (Aug 7), breaking the country's 92-day record without new cases since May 7,

Meanwhile, currently there are 575 individuals who are undergoing mandatory isolation at the monitoring centres provided by the government, who have arrived in the country after traveling abroad.

There have been three deaths that resulted from Covid-19 in brunei. - Xinhua