By Jaythaleela K
MIRI, June 9: Effective July 13 this year, all foreign based transporters entering Brunei must produce Covid-19 vaccination certificates together with Cross-Country Permits issued by the ruling Sultanate before they are allowed to enter the country to deliver imported essential goods and services.
Thus, transporter companies are given a grace period from June 1 until July 12 to get their drivers vaccinated before the deadline of July 13, revealed Minister of Transport Datuk Lee Kim Shin today.
“Digital vaccination certificates on MySejahtera Apps are also acceptable,” he disclosed.
Lee added, Brunei may also consider permitting entry to 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 MySejahtera.
“The vaccination requirement only applies to transport operators and not to the ordinary travellers,” he emphasised.
“In view of this requirement by Brunei, I strongly urge all logistics companies who have cross border businesses in Brunei as well as transporters who go to Limbang and Lawas through Brunei to take this opportunity to have their drivers vaccinated during this grace period until July 12, 2021.”
Lee also revealed that the State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) has 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 logistics companies and the Ministry of Transport, Sarawak, on this matter,” he said.
Earlier on, the requirement dated May 31 this year which was released by the Brunei government had created anxiety amongst Sarawakian transporters who have business activities with their counterparts in Brunei.
In order to clear the uncertainty over this issue, Lee had spoken personally to the Brunei Consulate-General based in Kuching this morning to seek clarification on the matter.
Lee later on expressed his thanks to the Consulate-General of Brunei in Kuching for kindly clarifying the issue and providing the latest information on this matter.
Due to the prevalent Covid-19 pandemic in the State, Lee is also seeking the cooperation of the public here in Sarawak not to travel cross-country unnecessarily to Brunei unless it is for official government travel, involving students returning schools and emergency services. — DayakDaily
