Government of Brazil withdraws Covid-19 test obligation for vaccinees on international flights

This Friday (1/4) was published the Interministerial Ordinance 670/22, which institutes the new policy of restricting the international transit of travelers, resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic. The new rules are already in force and must be observed by travelers and operators of air, waterway and land transport. 

In general , the new ordinance confirms vaccination as the central axis of the national border policy for all types of transport. That is, the presentation of proof of complete immunization is mandatory for all individuals eligible for vaccination and who intend to enter Brazil.

According to the ordinance, travelers who have completed the primary vaccination schedule (two doses or a single dose, depending on the vaccine) are considered fully vaccinated at least 14 days before the date of departure.

Vaccines approved by Anvisa, the World Health Organization (WHO) or the authorities of the country where the traveler was immunized are itted.

The text also establishes that proof of vaccination in which the vaccine data is available exclusively in QR Code format or in any other coded language will not be accepted. Certificates of recovery from Covid-19 will also not be accepted in place of proof of full vaccination.

Finally, the norm, following Anvisa's recommendation, does not provide for quarantines upon arrival in Brazilian territory. Such a sanitary control measure will no longer be required.

On the last day 23/3, the Anvisa issued a Technical Note recommending to the Committee of Ministers signatories of Interministerial Ordinance 666/2022 to update the policy of restrictions on the entry of travelers into the country. In the manifestation, the Agency considered, based on evidence and data analysis, the new epidemiological and health context in Brazil, the efficiency of the measures imposed until then and the international scenario, in order to ensure that restrictions were proportional to the health risks public. 

 

Check the new rules for each type of transport

– The filling of DSV (Traveller's Health Declaration) It is no longer necessary.

- Vaccinated: Brazilians and foreigners are dismissed of the presentation of a document proving the realization testing for Covid-19, with a negative or undetectable result; they should only present to the airline, before boarding, proof of vaccination, printed or electronically.

– Travelers not fully vaccinated, provided that Brazilians and foreigners residing in Brazilian territory, those with a health condition that contraindicates vaccination (attested by a medical report), those not eligible for vaccination due to age or coming from countries with low vaccination coverage: must submit to the airline , before boarding, the document proving that the test for Covid-19, with a negative or undetectable result, antigen test type or laboratory RT-PCR performed the day before from the time of boarding.

- Foreigners not fully vaccinated remain prevented from entering national territory (with exceptions). 

 

– Brazilians and foreigners must present, at the terrestrial control points, proof of vaccination. The voucher must also be presented, as a condition for boarding, to those responsible for international road and rail enger transport services.

- They are Exempted from presenting proof of vaccination on land transport:

• Brazilians and foreigners residing in Brazilian territory who are not fully vaccinated;
• cargo transport workers under the conditions set forth by the ordinance;
• border residents in twin cities;
• travelers in a vulnerable situation (humanitarian crisis);
• travelers from countries with low vaccination coverage;
• people ineligible for vaccination due to age;
• travelers with a health condition that contraindicates vaccination. 

– Foreigners not fully vaccinated remain prevented from entering national territory (with exceptions). 

 

- Vaccinated: international travelers, Brazilians or foreigners, must present to the operator or responsible for the vessel, before boarding, the proof of vaccination, printed or electronically.

– Vaccinated travelers are dismissed of the presentation of a document proving the realization testing for Covid-19, with a negative or undetectable result.

– Travelers not fully vaccinated, provided that Brazilians and foreigners residing in Brazilian territory, those with a health condition that contraindicates vaccination (attested by a medical report), those not eligible for vaccination due to age or coming from countries with low vaccination coverage: must present to the operator or responsible for the vessel, before disembarking in the country, the document proving that the test for Covid-19, with a negative or undetectable result, such as an antigen test or laboratory RT-PCR, performed the day before from the time of disembarkation.

- Foreigners not fully vaccinated remain prevented from entering national territory (with exceptions). 

 

- vaccinated children are covered by the general rules of the ordinance. 

- Unvaccinated children:

• under the age of 12, who are traveling accompanied, are exempt from presenting tests to screen for infection (Covid-19) by the new coronavirus (Sars-CoV-2), provided that all companions present documents with a negative or undetectable result, of the laboratory type RT-PCR or antigen test, carried out up to one day before the time of departure/entry into the country.
• aged between 2 and 12 years, who are traveling unaccompanied, must submit document with a negative or undetectable result, laboratory-type RT-PCR or antigen test, performed up to one day before from the time of boarding/entering the country.

• children under 2 years old do not need to submit tests.

 

Source: ANVISA