Vaccine passport is partially required on arrival in Brazil

After Anvisa (National Health Surveillance Agency) informed this Monday (13) that it would require a vaccination certificate at airports and land borders, the determination was partially fulfilled at the Guarulhos International Airport, in Greater São Paulo. Paul.

Although most passengers have to present the document, some still manage to enter the country without showing the vaccination certificate.

The presentation of proof for travelers coming from abroad became mandatory after an injunction (provisional) granted by Luís Roberto Barroso, minister of the STF (Supreme Federal Court) last Saturday (11).

This means that all those entering the country through airports or land borders must present a vaccination certificate.

Lizbeth Kormann, 28, was one of the travelers who entered the country without presenting the document. She was flying from the United States on an American Airlines flight.

The energy engineer lives in Phoenix with her husband and came to spend the holiday season with her family. Kormann agrees with the requirement, but believes there is a lack of guidance on how the procedures are carried out.

“I believe it’s good, but I don’t know how effective it will be. Since someone doesn’t have what will be done? Will the person not be able to enter the country? So I don’t know how effective it will be.” claims.

The engineer was not asked for any of the documents required to enter the country, such as presenting a negative Covid-19 test, the DSV (Traveller’s Health Declaration), in addition to proof of vaccination.

According to the determination, only those who come from countries that prove not to have available immunization agents or if they prove that they did not receive the application for medical reasons, are exempt from presenting the document.

There was an expectation that the Bolsonaro government would publish on Monday (13) an ordinance to adapt to the measures, but contrary to expectations, on the same day the AGU (General Attorney of the Union) appealed and asked Minister Luís Roberto Barroso to revoke the own decision to demand the vaccine passport from those who disembark at airports.

The document, signed by Union attorney general Bruno Bianco, requests that “Brazilians and foreigners residing in Brazil may return to the country if they do not carry proof of immunization, provided they comply with quarantine”.

In addition, the AGU asks that the entry of travelers who comply with quarantine and present proof that they contracted the disease and were cured should be accepted.

The Bolsonaro government’s previous proposal was to release, at airports, unvaccinated travelers who committed to a five-day quarantine upon arrival in Brazil.

The document can be presented in physical or digital format, and the vaccines accepted are those authorized by Anvisa, the WHO (World Health Organization) or by the health authority of the country where the doses were applied.

Travelers can opt for the antigen test, carried out up to 24 hours before entering the country, or the RT-PCR, which can be performed up to 72 hours in advance. The DSV must be completed within 24 hours of arrival in the country.