‘Don’t get carried away’ in Transition Phase, advises Brunei minister

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BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Nov 19 (Borneo Bulletin/ANN): As Brunei shifts into the Transition Phase, the public must continue to exercise a sense of responsibility and abide by the standard operating procedures (SOP) set by the Ministry of Health (MoH) to curb the Covid-19 spread, Minister of Home Affairs Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Abu Bakar said.

“We should not get carried away with social gatherings such as throwing barbecues and the likes. The experience of other countries has shown that moving into the Endemic Phase brings with it an increase in the number of Covid-19 cases.

“We do not want to move backward once we are in Transition Phase. With cooperation from all parties, we can continue to move into the next phase, allowing us to carry out ‘normal life’ as we did before,” he said.

Meanwhile, Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Mohd Isham Jaafar said he would not be surprised if Brunei Darussalam recorded a surge in Covid-19 cases during the Transition Phase.

Expressing hope that the surge would not overwhelm the healthcare system, he said, “Our benchmark is to check whether there is an increase in the number of critical or serious cases (Categories 4 or 5 hospital admission) in Tutong, and not to judge it based on hundreds of cases reported. If the increase is only 10 per cent (considered a stable figure), we can then move into the next phase,” Dr Mohd Isham said.

“Despite the relaxing of restrictions at business premises and restaurants, the public should not go out in large numbers or without reason. The virus is here to stay. If there is no pressing need to go out, then don’t. Bear in mind that being fully vaccinated does not make you immune to the infection, it just means you will probably endure mild symptoms.

“We must be cautious. The Transition Phase will test whether we are a rule-abiding society or otherwise. The government has set up guidelines and SOPs, and it is up to the community to follow.

“We should remind each other, if they still want to hold a barbecue, it is highly recommended that an antigen rapid test be conducted,” he said.

Meanwhile, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah cases are being monitored based on the data available.

“If the cases are not serious during the Transition Phase, the people can isolate at home and our healthcare will not be stretched. Public cooperation is needed, such as prohibiting non-vaccinated individuals from entering business premises,” he said.

With regard to issues encountered with the BruHealth app not displaying the full vaccination status of individuals, Dato Seri Setia Dr Mohd Isham said “Contact the 148 helpline and provide your Bru-Hims number so the staff can rectify the matter.”

Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang said individuals who were vaccinated overseas but have yet to be included in the BruHealth system, must bring along their certificate from the country of origin. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN