Brazil’s Bolsonaro advocates measure to block Covid vaccine passport

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – In a conversation with supporters this morning, September 6, President Jair Bolsonaro said he will consider issuing a provisional measure (MP) to block the Covid-19 vaccination passport requirement. A number of states have determined its presentation in order to access certain premises.

“The law was intended to be in force until the end of 2020, and it was extended, but there is no mention of a [vaccination] passport. But it was the Supreme Court that extended the law. It was supposed to last until 2020, when there was no vaccine. It was supposed to be valid until December 31, but it was extended,” he said, in a reference to the law decreeing a public health emergency due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Without providing further details, the president said that he will assess repealing the provision on the matter. “I will see if I can repeal this provision on the vaccine through a provisional measure,” he added.

The statements were made as he was leaving the Alvorada Palace and were recorded by a YouTube channel sympathetic to the president.

The National Congress is debating a bill to introduce the Covid passport, a document that would contain information related to vaccination against the coronavirus. Bolsonaro has said that he will veto the bill should it be passed.

On Thursday, September 2, the president classified the implementation of the vaccine passport as “criminal.” He argued that the requirement is a violation of individual freedom.

To encourage vaccination, Rio’s City Hall mandated the presentation of the National Vaccination Certificate against Covid -19 in certain places. The municipality of São Paulo has also implemented the passport to access events with over 500 people.

The digital vaccination card can be accessed through ConectSus, a Ministry of Health app.