By Adrian Lim
KUCHING, June 10: Transport Minister Datuk Lee Khim Shin has urged all logistics companies in Sarawak who have cross border businesses in Brunei to get their drivers vaccinated by July 12.
Following an announcement by the Brunei government on the guidelines to enter the country on May 31, Lee in a press statement yesterday said effective July 13, all foreign based transporters entering Brunei must produce their Covid-19 vaccination certificate together with the necessary cross country permit before they are allowed to enter Brunei to deliver imported essential goods and services.
Lee called the Consulate General of Brunei in Kuching recently to clarify the matter and said transporter companies are given a grace period between June 1 and July 12 to get their drivers vaccinated before the deadline of July 13.
“In view of this requirement by Negara Brunei Darussalam, I strongly urge all logistics companies who have cross border businesses in Brunei Darussalam as well as transporters who go to Limbang and Lawas through Brunei Darussalam to take this opportunity to have their drivers vaccinated during this grace period until July 12.
“I wish to inform that the State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) has also agreed for these logistics companies’ drivers to be given priority for vaccination in the respective Divisions.
“Therefore, I would like to request all the Residents as chairmen of the Divisional Disaster Management Committee and the Divisional medical officers to work closely with the logistic companies and the Ministry of Transport, Sarawak, on this matter,” he said.
Lee added that the digital vaccination certificate on MySejahtera app is also accepted.
He also said the Brunei government may also consider those logistics companies’ drivers who have been vaccinated with only the first dose if they can prove that the date for appointment of second dose had been confirmed through the MySejahtera app.
Lee pointed out that the vaccination requirement only applies to transport operators and not to ordinary travellers.
In the meantime, he called on Sarawakians not to travel unnecessary cross country to Brunei unless it was for official government travel, students requiring to attend schools and emergency services.
At the same time, he extended his appreciation to the Consulate General of Brunei in Kuching for clarifying the issues and providing the State government the latest information on the matter. — DayakDaily
