Brazil decided to restrict the entry of foreign passengers on international flights coming from a number of countries in Europe and Asia for the next 30 days starting on March 23, in yet another measure to try to contain the spread of the coronavirus outbreak. Cargo transportation will not be affected by the new measure, and neither will Brazilian citizens arriving from the same places.
The list of countries affected by the new travel restrictions includes all members of the European Union, China, Japan, Australia, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Malaysia and South Korea.
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According to the decision, non-compliance will result in civil, administrative and criminal liability, immediate repatriation or deportation and disqualification from any asylum applications. The restriction on entering the country does not apply to the following cases: Brazilian citizens, born or naturalized; immigrants with previous residence permit in Brazil; foreign professionals on a mission at the service of an international organization; and foreign employees accredited to the Brazilian government.
Land borders
Brazil had earlier closed its land borders with neighboring countries and territories in South America. The federal ordinance applied to highways and other land crossings, but not to airports.
Foreigners who are in these neighboring countries will not be able to enter Brazil, but Brazilian citizens will be allowed in. Cargoes has also been spared and may enter Brazil, as well as humanitarian aid personnel. The partial blockade will be valid for the next 15 days.
According to the Brazilian federal government, the restrictions are being imposed by “technical and reasoned recommendation from the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) and is justified by health reasons related to the risks of contamination and dissemination of the coronavirus.”
The previous measure applies to non-Brazilian citizens coming from the following countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Guyana, French Guyana, Paraguay, Peru and Suriname. Foreigners coming from Venezuela already faced restrictions on land arrivals.
The only neighboring country that will have other specific rules applying to its border restrictions is Uruguay, and the Brazilian Ministry of Justice informed that both countries are negotiating a closure there.
