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Borneo Bulletin Yearbook 2021
HEALTH AND FITNESS
The COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in 2020
disrupted life around the world, forcing people to
adapt to the new norms. Brunei Darussalam was
no exception, as the rst COVID-19 case was
reported on March 9, 2020,
In facing the pandemic, the Government of
His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah
Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum
Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi
Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei
Darussalam made early preparations to minimise
the spread of COVID-19.
Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji
Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar shared insights
on the success of the government’s efforts in
curbing COVID-19 in an interview in September
2020.
“When we had our rst case in March this
year. A few countries in our region had already
experienced or had positive COVID-19 patients.
Because of travel – and there were no restrictions
then – it was just a matter of time when the virus
would land in Brunei.”
“So when it happened, we were quite prepared
because by then we had the capability to test the
virus and from our disaster management plan
for pandemics, we allocated where they should
be. We also had discussions with all ministers
on how each ministry should work together to
control the virus.”
Like any other infectious disease, he said, the
key is to quickly detect and isolate those having
this virus.
“The more and quicker we do it, the better
the chance of us controlling and managing the
spread of the pandemic,” said the minister.
Speaking on how the Government of His
Majesty came up with the stages of restrictions
implemented throughout March and April
to control the spread of the virus, he said,
“When the pandemic occurred, we had a
few brainstorming sessions and before we
introduced any restrictions, we gathered to set
a plan and decide why the restrictions should be
there. All ministers and ministries were aware
and understood why we should be doing this.”
“Alhamdulillah, with the consent of His Majesty,
it was quite smooth how we contained the
pandemic.”