Brazil bans entry of foreigners in country by land and sea

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro’s office published a resolution limiting the entry of foreigners coming into the country by land or sea. The restriction applies to all nationalities, in compliance with a recommendation by the country’s sanitary regulator Anvisa. The move was motivated by the detection of variants of the novel coronavirus in the UK, Northern Ireland, and South Africa.

“Considering the epidemiological impact the new variant of the coronavirus identified in the UK and the Republic of South Africa may make upon the current situation witnessed in the country […], we bar the entry into the country of foreigners of any nationalities, through roads or any other means by land, as well as through water transport,” an excerpt of the resolution published Tuesday (Jan. 26) reads.

According to the World Health Organization, the number of countries and territories where the British variety has been detected may exceed 50, and the variant detected in South Africa has been seen in 20, but the organization believes these are likely to be underestimated.

Exceptions apply, for immigrants with fixed residence in Brazil; spouses, partners, children, or fathers or caretakers of Brazilians; foreigners at the service of an international entity; and people living near borders of twin cities. Such exceptions are not applicable to Venezuelans.

Airports

The arrival of foreigners through airports is not forbidden, except for flights coming from or making connections in the UK, Northern Ireland, and South Africa. For flights coming from other countries, migratory requirements apply.

Foreigners who wish to come to Brazil by plane must show a document demonstrating a RT-PCR test was conducted up to 74 hours before boarding time, with a negative a result.

Those who fail to meet the requirements in the resolution will be repatriated or deported immediately, in addition to facing civil and criminal liabilities.