The number of confirmed cases Omicron variant of COVID-19 It has grown in Brazil, although it is still at a low level. According to the latest balance sheet released by the Ministry of Health on Christmas Eve, 45 cases have been detected in the country so far – 27 in São Paulo, 4 in Goiás, 3 in Minas Gerais, 3 in Rio Grande do Sul, and 2 in the Federal District. Rio de Janeiro, Espírito Santo and Santa Catarina each recorded one case. An investigation is underway with 69 others on the national territory.
Despite numbers indicating a possible increase in the presence of omicron in Brazil over the next few weeks, a few countries have stricter restrictions on Brazilian entry end of this year. Most maintain a more viable “open with restrictions” status, that is, they require evidence of vaccination and a negative test for covid-19.
Countries in which Brazilians may find it more difficult to enter are subject to extensive restrictive measures, while the vast majority directly restrict the passage of citizens or persons of other nationalities who have recently passed through South African countries, where an omicron variant would have appeared. The countries most targeted are: South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe.
Passenger line at Salt Lake City International Airport in the United States – Photo: Rick Bowmer / AP
Israel and Japan announced, in late November, the closure of borders to all foreign travelers. In addition, Brazilians traveling to China, Hong Kong or Macau, even with a negative PCR test for covid-19, may have to undergo a 14-day quarantine before they can move freely around the country. In Angola, Brazilians must undergo a ten-day quarantine.
Other countries where travelers from Brazil need to quarantine are North Korea, Azerbaijan, Benin, Brunei, Bulgaria, Bhutan, Cameroon, Kazakhstan, Cyprus, Djibouti, Eritrea, Eswatini, Falkland Islands, Philippines, Laos, Libya, Lesotho, Iraq, Kuwait, New Zealand, Taiwan, East Timor, Singapore, Vietnam and other smaller countries.
In Europe, the most popular destination among Brazilian tourists, Italy still imposes entry restrictions on Brazilians coming directly from Brazil. A 14-day quarantine is required, but some travelers have chosen to enter the continent through other countries that already allow access to Brazilians who have been vaccinated and tested negative for covid-19 before attempting to enter Italy.
Portugal, Spain, England, Switzerland and Finland are some of the European countries that accept fully vaccinated tourists from Brazil. Germany and France also accept Coronavac, but there are still restrictions. Poland, Latvia and Luxembourg, for example, accompany Italy and continue to restrict entry for travelers arriving directly from Brazil.
In Russia, Brazilian tourists do not need to be quarantined unless they show symptoms and the examination reveals contamination upon entry, but they must present a medical insurance policy that must be valid throughout Russia and cover a possible case of COVID-19 infection within the country. Country, plus negative PCR test dated up to three days before flight.
In the United States, Brazilian travelers are allowed entry, but only those who have been properly vaccinated against COVID-19, as well as negative PCR done 24 hours before they leave the country.
For those who have flights booked to the above countries or others, it is worth confirming the current situation regarding Brazilians with the consulates or embassies of destination countries before boarding.
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