Pay exact amount to limit contact, business outlets tell shoppers in Brunei

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Aug 29 (Borneo Bulletin/ANN): Business outlets are calling on customers to provide the exact amount to cashiers to limit physical contact and reduce the chances of infections, said Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Mohd Amin Liew Abdullah.

The minister said in the pre-COVID days, some businesses would not accept payment by credit card if the purchase was below BND20.

This was on the grounds of speeding up the payment process and to lessen the work of processing a credit card purchase.

“However, with the outbreak, the public is urged to carry out cashless transactions.

"Some businesses do not earn large profits (low profit margin) so by using a credit card, these businesses have to pay an extra charge to the bank or credit card operator. If a customer spends a lot at a shop, the profit margin will be high and the business will still earn a profit even after settling the credit card charges.

"It varies from one business to the next. Some businesses accept cash, some don’t, preferring card transactions instead,” the minister said.

Brunei reported 82 new COovid-19 cases on Saturday night (Aug 28), bringing the national tally to 2,462.

According to Brunei's Ministry of Health, all the new cases are local infections. The source of infection of 28 local cases is still under investigation. There are 43 active clusters already confirmed and two new clusters reported on Saturday.

It also marks the first time that the country's daily new cases have been lower than 100 since Aug 19.

There are currently 1,788 active cases being treated and monitored at the National Isolation Center, with six of them in critical condition requiring respiratory assistance and 29 other patients under close monitoring.

Brunei also reported 51 new recoveries on Saturday. A total of 664 recovered patients and 10 deaths have been reported so far in the country. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN