Harsher punishments for repeat offenders in breaking Covid-19 rules, says Brunei health minister

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Feb 19 (Borneo Bulletin/ANN): Anyone found committing a repeat offense of the stay at home directive will be brought to court, said Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Mohd Isham Jaafar, during a press conference in the capital.

The increased penalty on repeat offenders began on Monday, said the minister.

He said only the first offence of the violation of the stay-at-home directive will be subject to compound fines, while anyone found committing subsequent offences will be brought to court.

Meanwhile, three violatiors of the directive were issued with compound fines on Tuesday night.

The offenders were locals Pengiran Najmuddin Pengiran Alias, Nur Hamizah Abdullah Degat and Nursyazwani Abdul Salam.

One violation was in Brunei-Muara District while the remaining two are in Temburong District, said the Royal Brunei Police Force.

Meanwhile, Dr Mohd Isham reminded the public to report the antigen rapid testing (ART) positive results to www.moh/gov/bn/ARTReport/.

Failure to do so is an offence under Chapter 204 of the Infectious Diseases Act, said the minister.

The minister also urged the public to perform their social responsibilities by wearing a face mask when not at home and use hand sanitiser or frequent hand-washing. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN