Brazil no Longer Requires Negative Covid-19 Test or Vaccine for Entry: Anvisa Revokes Sanitary Measures

Brazil no longer requires a negative covid-19 test or vaccine to enter

In line with the decision of the World Health Organization to lift the global emergency for Covid-19, the Brazilian authorities resolved that both its citizens and foreigners entering the South American country will no longer need to present proof of vaccination or a test of covid-19 negative, reported the Brazil Agency.

The National Agency for Sanitary Surveillance (Anvisa) revoked the two ordinances issued during the pandemic with sanitary measures for foreigners entering the country. According to Anvisa, the end of the requirements was motivated by the decision of the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare the end of the state of Public Health Emergency of International Importance, which had been in force since March 2020.

The body transferred the guidelines to airlines, border crossings and port and airport operators in a technical instruction.

”This scenario [fin del estado de emergencia internacional] made it possible to determine that covid-19 is now an established and ongoing health problem (…) Therefore, Brazil no longer requires proof of vaccination against covid-19 or the presentation of a negative result of the test, as well as the application by the administrators of passenger terminals and operators of means of transport of prevention and mitigation measures [reducción] of the disease”, says the technical note.

Despite the revocation of the requirements for carrying out tests or vaccination certificates, Anvisa said that it maintains the recommendations for non-pharmacological prevention measures (such as the use of masks), and the norms for the notification and response to cases. suspected and confirmed.

Points of entry into Brazil, the technical note states, must continue to have updated contingency plans to deal with future international health emergencies. Measures must also be maintained to guarantee the surveillance and care of suspected and confirmed cases of coronavirus.

Anvisa also maintained the obligation of the administrators of passenger terminals and means of transport to inform the regulatory agency of any public health event during the trip and the isolation of passengers with symptoms compatible with covid-19 or with confirmed contagion is maintained.

In recent months, Anvisa has revoked several regulations related to the pandemic. In March, it removed the requirement for masks in airports and on planes, which is now only recommended. Last month, the regulatory agency revoked the sanitary restrictions for cruise ships.

(Source: Brazil Agency)