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THE INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER IN BRUNEI DARUSSALAM, SABAH AND SARAWAK B$1.00 | RM3.50 MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2020 VOL.24 | NO.223
LIFESTYLE 15
Riding the crest of Saddlesore
FEATURES 26
A shot in the arm for Brunei
basketball
WORLD 29
Christchurch marks anniversary of
mosque shooting
BUSINESS 10
Saudi Aramco sees 2019 pro”its
drop 20pc
HOME 4
Pension payments to be made
through bank accounts
Rokiah Mahmud
The Ministry of Health (MoH) has issued
frequently asked questions (FAQs) onmass
gatherings, in response to the COVID 19
situation in Brunei Darussalam. Among
the preventive measures to be taken is
to limit large numbers of crowds and
mass gatherings in close proximity over a
prolonged duration.
Within the context of the current
situation, mass gatherings are de‹ined
as ticketed cultural, recreational and
entertainment events; and personal or
social events which include weddings,
birthdays and get-togethers with large
crowds and the use of enclosed settings
such as banquet halls, restaurants and
event venues.
Also included are conferences,
symposiums, expositions, training
cou r ses , mee t i ngs and re l i g i ous
gatherings (excluding Friday prayers,
which will be guided by the Ministry of
Religious Affairs).
Wedding receptions and solemnisation
of marriage (Akad Nikah) for Muslims
will have to be conducted at home
only, provided the number of guests
is limited to reduce overcrowding and
risking transmission of infection in an
enclosed setting.
For those of other religious faiths,
registration of marriages may be carried
out in designated registries, but with
limited attendees.
Continue to Page 3
MoH answers
questions on
mass gatherings
KUALA LUMPUR (CNA) - Malaysia reported
190 new cases of COVID 19 yesterday, most
linked to a religious event at a mosque that
was attended by more than 16,000 people
from several countries.
The new cases bring the total number
of infections in the country to 428, making
Malaysia the worst-hit Southeast Asian country
to date.
Currently, nine patients are in intensive
care and are receiving respiratory support,
the Malaysian Health Ministry said in
a statement.
Sevenpatientswerealsorecentlydischarged
from Sungai Buloh Hospital, bringing the total
number of recovered patients in Malaysia
to 42.
The Health Ministry said investigations
into the religious gathering are ongoing. The
ministry also urged participants of the Tabligh
event, or religious rally, at Jamek Sri Petaling
Mosque to contact the authorities.
Health Minister Dr Adham Baba said all
event participants and their close contacts
will be placed under mandatory quarantine for
14 days.
Continue to Page 2
Malaysia reports 190 new COVID-19
cases, most linked to mosque event
Brunei citizens, permanent residents and
foreigners holding valid identi‹ication
cards (ICs) are not allowed to go out of the
country starting today except in cases of
medical treatment, attend court hearing
or to continue studies overseas.
Any travels are subject to approval
from the Prime Minister’s Of‹ice. Travel
application must be sent through
e -ma i l to t rave l app l i ca t i on@j pm.
with the scanned copies of
the documents.
The latest move to curb the spread
of COVID 19 in Brunei Darussalam was
announced by Minister of Health Dato Seri
Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar at
press conference updating on COVID 19 in
the country at the ministry’s Al-’A‹iah Hall
yesterday.
He said, “For the moment it is important
to contain the virus spread in the country
by keeping the current population in.”
Continue to Page 6
Citizens, residents
holding Brunei IC
banned from
exiting country
James Kon
Minister at the Prime Minister’s Of ice Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Abdul Mokti bin Haji Mohd
Daud and Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar during the press
conference yesterday. PHOTO: BAHYIAH BAKIR
Brunei Darussalam yesterday recorded 10 new
cases of COVID 19, bringing the total number
of cases in the country to 50.
Seven of the new cases are linked to the
Tabligh assembly in Kuala Lumpur, while
three are linked to Case 25 ‹irst reported on
March 12.
These new cases were announced by
Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd
Isham bin Haji Jaafar at a press conference at
the Ministry of Health’s (MoH) Al-’A‹iah Hall
yesterday.
Case 41 is a 31-year-old woman who is
married to Case 15. She does not have any
recent travel history abroad and started to
exhibit coughing and ‹lu-like symptoms on
March 12.
Case 42 is a 55-year-old woman who is a
sibling of Case 12 in the Tabligh cluster. She
does not have any recent travel history abroad,
and began coughing and running a fever on
March 9.
Case 43 is a local man aged 29, who
attended a local Tabligh gathering on March 5,
during which several participants of the Kuala
Lumpur assembly were also present.
Case 44 is a 23-year-old woman who has
links with the Case 25 cluster. She attended
10 new COVID-19
cases, total now 50
James Kon a family event with Case 25 on March 8 and
developed fever on March 10.
Case 45 is a 56-year-old woman who
is linked to the Case 25 cluster. She also
attended the family event on March 8 and
developed a fever and ‹lu-like symptoms on
March 12.
Case 46 is a 56-year-oldman, who is a friend
of Case 8 from the Tabligh cluster. Hemet with
Case 8 on March 9 and developed fever on
March 12.
Case 47 is a local man aged 68 who
attended the local Tabligh gathering on
March 5.
Case 48 is a local man aged 20 who also
attended the local Tabligh gathering on
March 5.
Case 49 is a 24-year-old man who is linked
to the Case 25 cluster. He attended the family
gathering on March 8 and does not exhibit any
symptoms of infection.
Case 50 is the 55-year-old wife of Case
36 in the Tabligh cluster. She does not have
any recent travel history abroad and does not
exhibit any symptom of infection
All patients are in a stable condition, while
undergoing treatment at the National Isolation
Centre. They have no fever and do not require
respiratory assistance.
Continue to Page 2