Brazil closes its air border to flights from India

Update 25 June 2021: the Federal government issued Ordinance 655/2021 updating the entry restrictions and the procedures for crew changes. Read more.

Update 29 May 2021: in response to ANVISA’s suggestion, the federal government replaced Ordinance 653/2021 with Ordinance 654 of 28 May 2021. The revised normative text excludes § 1 of art. 3 of the revoked regulation, which used to read as follows, in free translation:

“The restrictions provided for in this Ordinance do not prevent the entry, by air or waterway, of maritime crews to exercise specific functions on board of a vessel or platform operating in jurisdictional waters, provided that the migratory requirements appropriate to their condition are observed, including to carry an entry visa, when required by the Brazilian legal system”

In practice, the suppression of the above exception means that foreign seafarers arriving from or passing by the UK, South Africa and India in the last 14 days will not be allowed entry in Brazil at all.

A free translation of Ordinance 654/2021 is attached.

Given the new variants of the coronavirus, on 14 May 2021, the Brazilian government issued interministerial Ordinance 653, which maintains the ban on entry of non-resident foreigners by land and sea, and includes the Republic of India, alongside South Africa and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, among countries whose flights are prohibited until further notice.

Otherwise, Brazil’s air borders remain open to all visitors who have proved their negative status for COVID-19 and submitted the Traveller’s Health Declaration (DSV) agreeing to sanitary measures that must be complied with while in Brazil.

Exceptions

The temporary travel restrictions do not apply to:

• Brazilian nationals and foreign residents
• Foreign professional on a mission at the service of an international organisation
• Foreign employee accredited to the Brazilian government
• Foreign spouse, partner, son, father, or curator of a Brazilian national
• Foreign nationals whose entry is explicitly authorised by the Brazilian government in the public interest or for humanitarian reasons
• Bearer of the National Migration Registry (RMN)
• Cargo transportation by any means of conveyance

The exempted category of travellers arriving from or passing by the UK, South Africa or India in the last 14 days must remain in quarantine for another 14 days when entering Brazil.

Crew change and shore leave

Crew changes and repatriations must be authorised by the port health authority (ANVISA) and the immigration authority (Federal Police). The shipping agent must give an undertaking to the latter to bear the costs incurred with the seafarers during their stay in Brazil and produce the air ticket for the entire trip.

Embarking: seafarers arriving to work aboard ships and platforms in Brazilian waters are exempted from the travel ban, providing they meet the migratory requirements appropriate to their seafaring status, including having an entry visa when one is required. Currently, seafarers with a history of flights from or via the UK, South Africa, and India will have to quarantine for 14 days before being allowed to join a vessel in Brazil.

Disembarking: seafarers are allowed to disembark for medical care or repatriation related to operation issues or upon termination of their employment, with prior consent of the authorities and COVID-19 testing.

COVID-19 test: On-signers must deliver to the airline company a negative RT-PCR test, performed no later than 72 hours before boarding. If the journey to Brazil takes longer than that, a new test will be required before arrival. Should the crewmember stay in accommodation ashore before boarding, ANVISA may demand another test before prior to joining the vessel. Off-signers must be tested for COVID-19 while still on board, and disembarkation will only be allowed with a negative result. The timing within which the test must be carried out depends on the crew’s country of destination.

Shore leave: no shore leave is allowed, except for technical or operations reasons associated with the vessel’s operation.

Medical disembark

All seafarers are allowed to disembark for emergency medical or dental treatment upon medical recommendation and consent from ANVISA and the Federal Police.

Vessel’s quarantine

If a crew member tests positive for COVID-19, the entire crew will be tested and the vessel quarantined for 14 days, counting from the onset of symptoms or the date of the test. If other cases are detected, the quarantine will start over. Those infected will be quarantined in their cabins, following the protocols issued by ANVISA, and disembarkation will only be allowed for emergency medical assistance.

Ordinance 652 of 25 January 2021 is revoked.

Read more about health measures implemented in Brazilian ports and airports.

Published 14 May 2021. Last updated 30 May 2021.

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