Anvisa wants to charge vaccination against Covid for entry into Brazil, but Bolsonaro resists

Anvisa (National Health Surveillance Agency) proposed that the federal government cover the certificate of vaccination against Covid-19 as a way to allow travelers to enter Brazil.

The measure would be valid to allow immigration by land. Today the borders are closed, with a few exceptions.

But President Jair Bolsonaro (no party), who distorts data on the safety and effectiveness of immunization agents, just wants to open up the borders, without charging for the “vaccine passport”, according to government officials.

Anvisa sent an opinion to the Planalto Palace on the 12th, after being asked about Bolsonaro’s idea, but received no response.

According to reports from government officials, the agency also suggests tightening the rules for international flights. The idea is for travelers to quarantine for five days, even if they have a negative RT-PCR test for the new coronavirus.

Quarantine would be waived for anyone who is vaccinated.

Today, the government demands the presentation of the RT-PCR test, but does not require quarantine, despite Anvisa suggesting this measure for months.

Bolsonaro said this Wednesday (24) that he prefers to open the borders, but does not rule the decisions of the regulatory agency. He stated that he spoke with the president of Anvisa, Antonio Barra Torres, on the subject.

“For my part, I don’t decide, I don’t control Anvisa, (but) we wouldn’t have a closed border,” said Bolsonaro.

“There’s the question of the economy, tourism, a lot of things. And the virus, I’ve already told you, you have to live with it,” he said.

Anvisa’s idea is to prevent the increase in Covid-19 cases registered in Europe, among other places, from also occurring in Brazil. The agency also wants to prevent the country from becoming an attraction for unvaccinated tourists.

The rules for entering Brazil by sea are more specific and there is still no permission to transport passengers from other countries. The government only approved for internal cruises.

Since December 2020, Brazil charges the presentation of the RT-PCR exam for those who enter Brazil through international flights. The agency even proposed a 14-day quarantine for all these travelers, after five days, but the government vetoed it.

The rules on entry into Brazil during the pandemic are defined by ordinances signed by the ministers of the Civil House, Health and Justice, based on opinions from Anvisa, although the agency’s recommendations, such as the imposition of quarantine, have so far been ignored.

The most recent ordinance is from October and the government opened a new discussion on the subject to assess the liberation of the borders.

Anvisa has received warnings from experts about the risk of increased cases of Covid-19 in Brazil. In addition, SUS managers asked the agency to suggest the adoption of the “vaccine passport” to travelers, especially during the holiday season and Carnival.

When contacted, the agency said that it does not decide on the rules for entering Brazil, which is up to the ministries. The agency has neither confirmed nor denied that it has asked for the “vaccine passport” to be adopted.

Saúde only said that “the criteria for the entry of foreigners or Brazilians from abroad into the country are elaborated in an integrated and inter-ministerial manner, always aiming at the safety and well-being of the Brazilian population.” The Civil House did not manifest itself