Boarder Traffic Slumps As Sars Fears Rise

Bandar Seri Begawan - The number of visitors crossing the border into the Sarawak and Sabah territories have noticeably declined following fears of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars), virus spreading in the neighbouring states.

According to the statistics released by the Immigration Department, the number of Bruneians going through the Puni control post last month declined when compared to the first three months of this year.

The Immigration spokesman said there were 79 people who crossed the border in April compared to 181 in March, 305 in February and 162 in January.

Meanwhile the Labu control post also recorded a similar downturn apparently due to the Sars fear. There were 509 people using the post in April compared to 943 in March.

Since early this year, the number of people going through the Puni control post is 9-thousand, and another 23-thousand 8-hundred went through the Labu control post.

The ministry of health continues to monitor the Sars situation by taking precautionary measures. The ministry has provided a special medical room to check on the health status of visitors coming in from the neighbouring states. -- Courtesy of Radio Television Brunei

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