Anvisa, the Brazilian Health Control Agency, announced on Monday that it will start requiring vaccination certificates for travelers entering Brazil. The decision applies to those entering by air or land.
In accordance with the agency, this measure aims to comply immediately with a decision of Judge Barroso, a member of the Supreme Court, who determined the requirement of proof of vaccination for travelers entering the country. According to Folha de S. Paulo, the government of Jair Bolsonaro has not yet published the regulation of the measure, so the details are still unknown. For example, Anvisa mentioned that certain cases, such as those of passengers who were already traveling when the decision was announced, will be handled «individually». For the time being, the agency «is registering the data of the travelers for control or quarantine».
See also: Brazil entry requirements: quarantine required for unvaccinated passengers
According to what was reported by the mentioned media, the government expected to have the regulation ready to adapt to Barroso’s decision today (Monday 13), but there have been delays. For example, the technical ministries and Anvisa are disagreeing on which agencies would be in charge of controlling land borders. Neither is it defined what would happen with those Brazilians who return to their country without being immunized.
The government admits that the regulation might not » come in time», since the Supreme Court will meet in a plenary session to debate Barroso’s decision on Wednesday (15). According to information provided by people who are close to the government, «there is no possibility that the court will revert Barroso’s decision». Until the judge’s ruling, the entry of unvaccinated travelers required a five-day quarantine.
The vaccines approved by Anvisa, the World Health Organization, or by the health authority of the country where the traveler received the doses will be accepted for entry. The last dose must have been received at least 14 days before the date of departure from the country of origin.
