Brazilian Anvisa revokes covid restrictions for cruise ship travel

The National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) revoked two previous resolutions, from September to November 2022, which required passengers to present proof of vaccination against Covid-19 or a negative test to board cruise ships.

With the decision made by the Joint Board of Directors on Wednesday 10, shipping companies are no longer obliged to require these documents from passengers but may continue to do so if they prefer.

At the time, Anvisa said, the restrictions were imposed to allow the resumption of cruise ship activities in Brazil.

“However, at that time, the context was still one of many uncertainties about future scenarios, which required caution and precaution on the part of health authorities.”

Despite this, companies remain obliged to notify health events, including suspected and confirmed cases of Covid-19, and it remains mandatory to isolate suspected cases on board.

Anvisa’s decision was made after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the end of the global health emergency from Covid last week.

“With the end of the Public Health Emergency of International Importance (ESPII), the standards have now exhausted their effectiveness and validity,” Anvisa explained in a statement.

“Although no formal revocation act is required for the loss of effectiveness of the referred resolutions, in consideration of legal security and good regulatory practices, Anvisa’s Collegiate Board of Directors decided to issue a new RDC to revoke the previous regulations expressly.”

With information from Revista Oeste

News Brazil, English news Brazil, National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa), Covid-19