Gov’t changes sanitary rule for children entering Brazil

Brazil’s Ministry of Health has changed the requirements regarding proof of vaccination for children flying into Brazil. The minimum age covered by the norm rose from five to 12.

Presenting proof of vaccination had been mandatory for kids below the age of 12 since February 11. Exempted from the rule were only children younger than five who were out of the country for more than 30 days or those coming from countries with low vaccine coverage—less than ten percent of its population.

In its statement, the ministry noted that, even though 39 countries in Europe and 14 in Latin America have adopted or initiated vaccination against COVID-19 among kids younger than 12, there is still great inequality in the access to the inoculation.

By land

For those coming into the country by land, the note states that travelers older than five, as well as Brazilians and foreigners over five living in the country—except those returning from trips that started over 30 days prior—may have to present proof of vaccination due to their age.

For Brazilians and foreigners aged five through 18 on a land trip not carrying proof of vaccination due to the unavailability of doses for this public in their country of origin, the rule is currently waived, regardless of whether or not they live in the country.

When coming into Brazil, travelers from aboard must fill out a form entitled Declaração de Saúde do Viajante, or DSV. For those not showing proof of vaccination, a 14-day quarantine is mandatory, to be observed in the city of the traveler’s final destination. Quarantine may only be interrupted early if tourists or residents display no symptoms and have a negative PCR result or antigen test with collection made at least five days into the quarantine.

To enter Brazilian territory from overseas, one must also present a negative result from a PCR test collected up to 72 hours before boarding or an antigen test conducted up to 24 hours prior.