Brazil’s border with Guyana remains closed; traffic reserved for cargo

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The information was confirmed on Wednesday, September 22 by the President’s Chief of Staff, the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (ANVISA) and by the vice-consul of Brazil in Lethem, Guyana, Ewerton Luiz Silva de Oliveira.

The border with Guyana has been closed since March 19, 2020, after the federal government published an ordinance restricting the access of foreigners coming from South America to contain the spread of the coronavirus in Brazil.

The information that the border is still closed was released after reports on social media that the border would reopen, which will not occur. The President’s Chief of Staff said that the temporary restriction on the entry of foreigners is regulated by Ordinance 655 of 2021, and that any reopening depends on changes to this ordinance, a matter under discussion by the Brazilian government.

Also a signatory of Ordinance No. 655, ANVISA added that the measure allows transit, by land, between sister cities (i.e., border cities in which citizens live in Brazil, but cross the border to work in another country and return) and the transport of cargo to supply Brazil.

The Prime Minister’s office of Guyana, in a note sent by the vice consul, said that there has been no decision, and also no agreement between the countries on reopening the border, despite the two countries’ authorities holding talks.

The shared post stated the time and days in which the border would reopen, as well as restrictions such as the use of a mask and proof of vaccination against Covid-19, to circulate in the area. This is incorrect and has been denied by the Prime Minister’s office.

The government of Roraima clarified that the meeting with Guyanese authorities was about strengthening relations and that the reopening request depends on the Federal Government.

“The meeting was aimed at strengthening relations between Brazil and Guyana, through the state, considering the international agreement on Cargo and Passenger Transport under discussion between the two nations,” the government said in a statement.

In the past 2 years, the city of Bonfim, Roraima, has become an immigration route for Haitians entering Brazil. In addition, hundreds of tourists travel through the region on their way to the city of Lethem, in Guyana, to shop.

Note from the Prime Minister of Guyana’s Office:

The office of the Prime Minister of Guyana wishes to notify the general public that there has been no decision to reopen the Lethem/Bomfim border.

Despite Guyana Government Ministers holding talks with the Governor of the State of Roraima on September 17, 2021, no agreement has been reached on the reopening of the border. Therefore, the information in circulation is inaccurate and may be intended to cause confusion.

The Prime Minister’s Office would like to assure the residents of Region 9 and others who depend on the border being reopened for their livelihood, that both Brazil and Guyana remain fully committed to bringing about a solution on the issue as soon as it is safe and reasonable to do so.