Brazil drug regulator advises easing rules for passengers from Ukraine

Brazil’s national drug authority Anvisa recommended the president’s chief of staff that the conditions for entry into the country be made flexible for people returning from Ukraine, whether on a repatriation flight or by other means.
In a note released last night (Mar. 3), Anvisa recognizes the exceptional humanitarian situation resulting from a “state of war” in part of the European continent, chiefly in Ukraine.
“In this scenario, the highest priority must be given to the immediate sheltering and rescue of people coming from conflict regions. Measures to contain and mitigate damage to the health of those traveling in these conditions may be adopted. However, the broader understanding is that those coming from the region should be promptly sheltered and rescued free of the usual health restrictions, with a view to maintaining life,” the text reads.
Repatriation flights
As the main goal of Brazil’s mission on chartered and military flights is to rescue people, the agency noted that proof of vaccination, pre-boarding testing, and a filled-out Declaração de Saúde do Viajante form (DSV) should be waived in this case.
Also recommended by Anvisa for the repatriation mission is that the agency be notified as soon as possible concerning arrival dates, flights, and airports. The measures also include the use of protective masks by all travelers, including the crew, preferably particulate respirators (N95 or PFF2 masks), for the duration of the flight.
Another suggestion is that crew members be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and perform screening tests for Sars-Cov-2 prior to boarding in Brazil.
Should a passenger display symptoms of COVID-19 during the flight or test positive for Sars-Cov-2, they are advised to be seated as far away from other passengers as possible.
Upon arrival in Brazil, Anvisa recommends those not vaccinated to quarantine in the destination city.
The aircraft assigned for the mission should carry health supplies, like good quality masks, hand sanitizer, and rapid Sars-CoV-2 tests.
Finally, the agency advises that the testing, though not mandatory, should be conducted whenever possible, even upon arrival of the flight in the country. Testing, however, should not be imposed as a condition for boarding.
Regular flights
The relaxation of the rules for entry in Brazil recommended by Anvisa also covers anyone coming from the conflict region. When boarding conventional flights, not vaccinated passengers are required to quarantine in the destination city, and to fill out the DSV form when they can.
As on repatriation flights, non-pharmacological measures should be enforced, chief among them the use of face masks, preferably of the N95 or the PFF2 types. Though recommended, testing should not bar people from boarding.



