Day: December 23, 2021

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Viral Video of Graphic Animation on Rainfall for Southeast Asia

A viral video currently circulating on social media shows a graphic animation of rainfall forecast starting from the 20th until the 30th of December 2021 for the Southeast Asian region, captured from a mobile weather application. In this regard, The Brunei Darussalam Meteorological Department would like to inform that the animation shows forecasts of accumulation of rainfall amount for the coming period of 24 hours, 3 days, 5 days and 10 days for the Southeast Asian region.

 

The forecast of accumulation rainfall amount is generally considered normal for the wet season, during the Northeast Monsoon that is currently being experienced in this region. Since the country is currently in the wet season, unsettled weather is normal with occasional heavy showers being expected especially at night until early morning. Active weather is forecast to start from the 25th of December until 31st December 2021. Therefore, the public are advised NOT to be alarmed and to always follow the official weather information issued by the Brunei Darussalam Meteorological Department.

 

The public is also urged NOT to easily trust and be misled by unconfirmed information circulated through social media without first authenticating its validity. For the latest weather information, contact the Weather Forecast Centre, through the Weather Line 114 or go to ‘www.met.gov.bn’ OR Facebook and Instagram ‘@bruneiweather’.

 

 

Source: Radio Television Brunei

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Forum in Conjunction with International Civil Aviation Day

 

International Civil Aviation Day is celebrated by the International Civil Aviation Organisation member countries on every 7th of December. Yesterday morning, the Department of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications held a virtual Civil Aviation forum.

 

Among those joining the forum was Awang Haji Muhammad Nazri bin Haji Muhammad Yusof, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications. Six local and overseas panel members were invited to deliver and share topics related to air travel in the new normal and best practices proposed for passengers’ preparation before, during and after travelling by air. The forum aimedto clarify to the public on the procedures and control measures to be given attention to in controlling the spread of COVID-19.

 

 

Source: Radio Television Brunei

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Commemorating 100th Anniversary of the Department of Electrical Services

In conjunction with the celebration to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Department of Electrical Services, Ministry of Energy, yesterday afternoon, the Department held a reading of Surah Yasin, Tahlil and Doa Kesyukuran. The ceremony took place at the Prime Minister’s Office. Established in 1921, the Department of Electrical Services, plays a role in ensuring the country’s citizens and residents are supplied with electricity especially in rural areas.

 

Present was Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr. Awang Haji Mat Suny bin Haji Md. Hussein, Minister of Energy. Towards supporting efforts to help locals venture into enterprises, the Department of Electrical Services has signed several contracts under the i-Usahawan programme with a number of local companies, in line with the Ministry of Energy’s aspiration to support community efforts in improving the economy and expanding the capabilities of locals especially in the field of energy. Also present was Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Matsatejo bin Sokiaw, Deputy Minister of Energy.

 

 

Source: Radio Television Brunei

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Brunei Food Awards

The Brunei Food Awards is a platform that recognizes the achievements of local businesses in the food industry. The Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism stated the matter during the Brunei Food Award Presentation Ceremony held virtually, yesterday afternoon.

 

Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali Bin Apong hopes that the winners will maintain recognition and achievements in the food industry not only in the country, but also further expand their business around the region or around the world in the years to come. This year, the Lifetime Achievement Award was won by Excapade Restaurant and Ayamku Restaurant. Meanwhile, the Outstanding Individual Award was won by Thanis Lim. The event also celebrated 46 restaurants and 63 dishes with the Best Dish Award 2021. At the event, BFA also introduced the BALI Application, which is a food application that allows restaurants to upload the full menu free of charge.

 

 

Source: Radio Television Brunei

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Additional Conditions for Employers

The Minister of Home Affairs in the media conference also shared on several additional conditions for employers to foreign workers who do not intend to go back home on leave despite the expiration of the service contract.

 

The foreign workers have a valid Foreign Worker License, possess a valid Health Record and Insurance. Visa Re-entry consideration will be given if the Foreign Worker License or Work Pass is still valid at the date of re-entry. Employers are reminded to always adhere to the rules and guidelines for the recruitment of foreign workers outlined by the Department of Immigration and National Registration and the Labour Department, and legal action will be taken if they fail to comply with existing Acts and Regulations.

 

The entry of any foreign worker into Brunei Darussalam is required to comply with the conditions set by the Government from time to time such as pre-departure PCR test not less than 48 hours before departure from the country of origin, repeat test upon arrival in Brunei Darussalam and undergo quarantine at designated places.

 

Any further information or queries, the public or employers can contact the Department of Immigration and National Registration via the WhatsApp hotline 729 9551 or email to info@immigration.gov.bn and visits ‘www.immigration.gov.bn’ and the Labour Department via the hotline 836 3244 or email to ‘info.buruh@buruh.gov.bn’.

 

 

 

Source: Radio Television Brunei

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Consideration for Staggered Repatriation of Employees

 

The Minister of Home Affairs also shared the main conditions required for employers who apply for consideration for repatriation of employees in phases.

 

Yang Berhormat stated that a written letter is needed from the employer to show the plan in ensuring the employees to be sent back on leave in phases or the Business Continuity Plan. Agreement between employers and foreign workers for them to be sent back in phases and the work pass must be valid during the period of planning. Among the main conditions required for employers applying for foreign workers who do not intend to go on leave back to their country of origin despite the expiration of the contract of service are; There is still a need for the services of the foreign workers by employers, the foreign worker agrees not to go on leave back to their country of origin and must sign a letter of agreement with the employer. If the extension application period does not exceed six months, there must be proof of contract extension and if the extension application period is more than six months and above, a new contract shall be signed subject to the support of regulators.

 

 

Source: Radio Television Brunei

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Extension of Work Pass and Repatriation Process of Foreign Workers

At the media conference, the Minister of Home Affairs informed on the continuation of services after the contract has expired and the extension of the work pass including the process of sending back foreign workers. The measures were made after examining the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the economy including supporting the COVID-19 National Recovery Plan.

 

Foreign workers who are in Brunei Darussalam without a valid Foreign Worker License are required to return to their country of origin; Foreign workers who are in Brunei Darussalam under a valid Foreign Worker License whose contract has expired and intend to return to their country of origin, are allowed to return within 12 months from now. This is taking into account the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic that has occurred since the beginning of 2020 until now which has prevented the smooth process of repatriating or sending back foreign workers to their country of origin. Foreign workers who are in Brunei Darussalam under a valid Foreign Worker License whose contract have expired but are still required to work in the country and are willing to continue working, are considered to work under a new contract for a period of two years with the agreement of the employer and the employee.

 

 

Source: Radio Television Brunei

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Third Dose provides Higher Protection

 

Scientific studies have also found that although two doses of the vaccine can provide good protection against the severe effects of the Omicron variant, the third dose will provide higher protection against the infection and even mild symptoms.

 

Taking into account these scientific findings, the public is advised not to feel anxious with the detection of the first case of the Omicron variant in the country. The preventive and control measures for any of the COVID-19 variants are the same. Therefore, continue to take precautionary measures such as wearing face masks, washing hands regularly, practicing physical distancing and avoiding going to crowded places. More importantly, is for individuals who have completed two doses of the vaccination to get a third dose or booster dose injection as soon as they are eligible to receive it which is three months after the second dose was obtained. Scientific studies have found that administering the third dose or booster dose can increase the body’s resistance or immunity to COVID-19 infections, including the Omicron variant.

 

 

Source: Radio Television Brunei

 

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First Omicron Case Detected

 

​The Media Conference on the latest COVID 19 situation will be adjourned on the 24th of December 2021 until Sunday, 26th of December 2021. The next Media Conference will be held on Monday, 27th of December 2021. At the media conference, the Minister of Health also confirmed that the first case of the Omicron variant that has been detected in Brunei Darussalam.

 

The case arrived in the country from the United Kingdom on the 17th of December 2021, with the case being quarantined upon arrival in the country and all the close contacts were also instructed to undergo laboratory tests and self-isolation. Currently, the case is in good health and no longer experiencing any signs of infection. Scientific findings on the Omicron variant show that although this variant is more transmissible than the Delta variant, the effect of the symptoms or infection is less severe. As for the findings of the study in South Africa, the increase in cases due to the Omicron variant including the speed of reaching the peak of the infection is faster than other variants, including the Delta variant and currently, the infection wave due to the Omicron variant in South Africa is already declining. As with the data from London, although more cases were reported compared to the previous wave, the Omicron variant was found to cause less hospitalizations and deaths. This is supported by findings in which the actual infection of the Omicron variant requiring hospital treatment in London is lower than the projection calculated based on the Delta variant data.

 

 

Source: Radio Television Brunei

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National Vaccination Programme, 3 Directive Violations Issued Compound Fines

The Minister of Health also shared on the accomplishments of the National Vaccination Programme for COVID-19 on the 22nd of December 2021.

 

The overall rate of the population who have received at least one dose of the vaccine is 94.4 per cent; 92.7 per cent have received two doses; while 12.5 per cent have received three doses of the vaccine. Meanwhile, during the movement restrictions carried out on 22nd December, from 10 until 4 in the morning, 3 violations of the directive nationwide were issued with compound fines.

 

 

Source: Radio Television Brunei

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3 New Cases, 18 Cases Recovered

3 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed yesterday, bringing the total COVID-19 cases to 15,429. Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Doctor Awang Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar, Minister of Health stated the matter at a media conference on the latest COVID-19 situation held at Dewan Al ‘Afiah, Ministry of Health. Joining the media conference was Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia Doctor Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong, Minister of Home Affairs.

 

The number of new cases are the result of 3,099 lab tests conducted in the past 24 hours. Therefore, the rate of positive cases is 0.1 per cent. Among the cases being treated at the National Isolation Centre, One Category 5 case is being treated at the Intensive Care Unit requiring artificial ventilation assistance.

 

18 cases have recovered, bringing the total number of recovered cases to 15,189 while 140 cases remain active. Meanwhile, the bed occupancy rate in isolation centres nationwide is 3.6 per cent.

 

 

Source: Radio Television Brunei

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Brunei Starts Booking For COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shot

Public booking for COVID-19 vaccine booster shots has begun in Brunei.

According to Brunei’s Ministry of Health, booster shots will be administered to individuals aged 18 and above, who have completed their second dose of vaccine.

Meanwhile, the third shots on a walk-in basis, which started on Dec 17, are still available but are limited to the elderly, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, and differently-abled individuals.

As of Dec 21, 94.4 percent of Brunei’s population had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, while 92.6 percent had completed their vaccination schedule of two doses, and 10.7 percent had received three doses.

The country reported eight new confirmed cases of COVID-19 yesterday, bringing the total tally to 15,426.

A total of 155 active cases are still being treated and monitored in Brunei, and 100 patients have passed away so far in the country.

 

 

Source: NAM News Network

 

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