RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Brazilian government decided to cancel on short notice a meeting between government officials and the Brazilian health regulatory agency (ANVISA) to discuss a potential tightening of restrictions at the country’s borders due to the Omicron variant of the coronavirus.
The meeting was scheduled to take place at 5:30 PM at the Planalto Palace.
The cancellation came after Federal Supreme Court (STF) Justice Luís Roberto Barroso granted the government 48 hours to explain why it waives the presentation of proof of vaccination against Covid-19 or the imposition of mandatory quarantine for anyone entering the country, as recommended by ANVISA.
Ministry of Health executive secretary Rodrigo Cruz went to the Planalto for the meeting. The Ministry expected the Chief of Staff to issue a note on the matter yesterday.
ANVISA wants the adoption of the so-called vaccine passport to enter Brazil and the closing of air borders to four more African countries: Angola, Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia. Restrictions are in force for travelers coming from South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia and Zimbabwe.
The tightening of measures has been discussed by ANVISA with an interministerial group made up of officials from the Ministries of Health, Chief of Staff, Justice, and Infrastructure, but is meeting resistance from President Jair Bolsonaro who does not accept vaccination passports.
The most recent meeting between ANVISA and government officials occurred on November 30 and ended without a decision.