BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – Brunei announced stricter social distancing rules after eight new Covid-19 cases were reported yesterday, reported Xinhua.
Of the total, seven are local cases and one, imported. The local infections are the first to be reported since May 6 last year.
The Health Ministry said the measures have been reinstated for two weeks with immediate effect, including online learning, no dine-ins, as well as closing cinemas, leisure centres, religious places, and indoor and outdoor sports facilities.
To address the international Delta variant concern, Brunei now requires face masks to be worn at all times, especially indoors or in crowded areas. This is applicable to all individuals regardless of vaccination status.
With the eight new cases, the national Covid-19 caseload now stands at 347.
The ministry said five of the seven local cases are related to a monitoring centre in the country. The other two have mild symptoms and unknown origins of infection, but no overseas travel history.
The sole imported case involves a 37-year-old man who arrived in Brunei from the Middle East via Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on July 30.
Contact tracing for the new cases is underway. – Bernama, August 8, 2021
