Until now, Brazil was one of the few countries in the region that did not require a test / PCR test to enter. But that is set to change as its government announced, through decree 630, that all Brazilian or foreign citizens who want to enter the country must present a negative RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to boarding the flight, the measure will be in force as of December 30.
It was also reported that the borders will be closed for foreigners who want to enter by land or water, leaving air travel as the only means to get to Brazil. In addition, travelers must fill out an affidavit (printed or digitally), with the written agreement to the health measures that must be complied with during the period that they will remain in the country.
The immigration authorities may prevent entry to the territory if they do not comply with the established requirements. This new measure leaves Mexico, Colombia and the Dominican Republic as the only countries that do not require RT-PCR testing in the region, in addition to the United States and Turkey.
President Jair Bolsonaro launched last Wednesday a vaccination plan against Covid-19 to protect more than 70% of Brazilian citizens, right after reaching 185,000 deaths from the pandemic, a death toll surpassed only by the United States. And he admitted that the virus, which he had described as a «little flu», is a «serious affliction».