Brunei extends temporary suspension on cross-border activities with Malaysia

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (Xinhua): Brunei's Prime Minister's Office (PMO) announced on Tuesday (April 6) that the temporary suspension of cross-border activities between Brunei and Malaysia will be extended for another two weeks from April 7 to April 22.

Temporary suspension on entry of foreign nationals from Malaysia, including transits through Brunei via land and sea ports, is extended by 14 more days until April 22.

"Transit through Brunei Darussalam may only be considered for official government travels, students required to attend school, emergency services (such as ambulances, police and military) and Malaysia-registered Transport Operators with Cross-Country Permits issued by the Brunei government for import deliveries of essential goods to Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia, granted that the travellers attained endorsement from the relevant Malaysian authorities for their travels," the PMO said.

Located in Southeast Asia, northwest of Kalimantan, Brunei shares land and sea borders with East Malaysia.

According to the PMO, temporary suspension on commuters via land and sea for the purpose of employment is also extended by 14 days.

Brunei and Malaysia have earlier agreed to establish a green lane for essential cross-border movement of people during the Covid-19 pandemic.

After the 23rd Annual Leaders' Consultation held here between Brunei's Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and visiting Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin on Monday, a joint statement said that both leaders discussed the possible cooperation between Brunei and Malaysia in Covid-19 vaccines.

The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining people's movement during the Covid-19 pandemic by ensuring their safe cross-border movement.

In this regard, both sides have agreed in principle to establish a Reciprocal Green Lane, with effective Covid-19 prevention and control measures, to facilitate essential business and official travel between both countries.

Brunei reported one more recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic on Tuesday, bringing the total number of recovered patients to 198.

According to Brunei's Ministry of Health, no more confirmed Covid-19 cases were recorded, with the national tally unchanged at 214. There are 13 active cases being treated at the National Isolation Center.

The country has recorded 335 days without local Covid-19 infection cases. There have been three deaths reported from Covid-19 so far in Brunei.

Meanwhile, Malaysia reported 1,300 new Covid-19 infections, bringing the national total to 353,329, the Malaysian Health Ministry said on Tuesday.