Brazil has announced that, starting on Dec. 30, it will require every passenger flying into the country to show proof of having taken a PCR test within the previous 72 hours prior to their flight’s departure and its result being negative.
This is a significant move for a country that has, for the most part, not placed restrictions on air-travel visitors beyond what were already in place prior to the start of the COVID pandemic.
Additionally, each visitor must complete a Traveler’s Health Declaration (DSV) form prior to boarding their Brazil-bound flight.
This can be done digitally or by printing it out and then completing it. The DSV form includes questions related to the traveler’s health and communicates their intent to comply with local health measures throughout their time in South America’s largest country.
Brazil is looking to suppress the effects of a second wave of COVID cases that it is currently experiencing. Infection rates in December are reaching where they were during the country’s first wave in July.
As a result, seven of Brazil’s 26 states have intensive care bed occupancy rates that are in excess of 80%. Meanwhile, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, 98% of those beds are occupied.
Travelers should also note that significant restrictions limiting entry into Brazil via its land-border crossings are in place.
Generally, foreigners cannot cross into Brazilian territory via land unless they will be doing so en route to an airport and taking a plane out of the country.
Those who need to do this must bring an official note from an embassy or consulate to the border crossing.
However, there have been minimal changes to travel within Brazil. Interstate flights are still operating as normal, no mandated curfews are in place, and hotels, retailers and restaurants are still operating.