Daniel Lim

The Sungai Tujoh Control Post in the Belait District and Labu Control Post in the Temburong District implemented body temperature checks following the growing concern over novel coronavirus (2019-nCOV), yesterday.

The screenings were conducted by the Ministry of Health (MoH) in collaboration with local authorities including the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) and the Fire and Rescue Department (FRD).

All arrivals from across the border were screened by officers from both MoH and the FRD before proceeding to the immigration counters at the control posts.

Present to observe the screening at the Sungai Tujoh Control Post were Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs Mohd Amir Hairil bin Haji Mahmud; and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health Haji Abdul Manap bin Othman.

Director of the Environmental Health Services at the Ministry of Health Dr Hajah Annie binti Haji Abdul Rahman said the visitors were screened for body temperature and asked about their travel history, especially those who had travelled to affected areas over the past fourteen days.

“Due to the difference in environment compared to in an airport, we opted to use a handheld thermal sensor rather than infrared camera used at airport to accurately measure the body temperature,” she said.

The operation is expected to have minimal impact on the normal queues at the control post.

While there is no case detected in the country, both the MoH and NDMC are vigilant in observing any changes to the situation.

The MoH also released a travel advisory for residents of Brunei and advised to avoid travel to countries affected by the coronavirus.

“Tourists from China, especially from Wuhan are not allowed into Brunei,” she said, adding tourists from other nations are screened regardless of their ethnicity or race.

She also advised the public not to heed viral messages or stories that have been circulating on social media, and instead to get verified information from the MoH and the World Health Organization (WHO) websites.