Brazil relaxes health measures in airplanes and airports

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – On May 12, Brazil’s National Health Regulatory Agency (Anvisa) approved the relaxation of sanitary measures in airplanes and airports after the government decreed the end of the public health emergency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

As a result, Brazilian airlines will again be able to offer in-flight service on domestic flights. There will no longer be a specific limit on the maximum capacity of passengers transported by bus to remote aircraft positions.

But, contrary to what has been happening in other countries, Anvisa decided to maintain the mandatory use of face masks onboard aircraft and in restricted areas of airports. Boarding will also continue to be done in lines, and the same protocols for cleaning and disinfection of environments and surfaces will be followed.

Anvisa’s measure comes a day after the European Union made progress in relaxing sanitary recommendations in airplanes and airports, ending the mandatory use of face masks.