Covid-19: Brazil decides not to widen restrictions to more southern African countries

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – In a statement, the Chief of Staff said that “there is still a need for further clarification on the epidemiological situation in Angola, Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia.”

The decision was taken during a meeting at the Planalto Palace between officials from the Chief of Staff and the Ministries of Health, Justice and Public Safety, Infrastructure and Foreign Affairs. ANVISA members were also present.

Last Friday, Brazil closed its borders to South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Namibia, and Zimbabwe, after a request from the agency. ANVISA’s new recommendation came the following day. On Tuesday, November 30, the first cases of the Omicron variant were confirmed in Brazil.

“The federal government also remains alert to any change in the epidemiological profile with the states, municipalities and the Federal District, and will continue updating the exceptional and temporary restrictions on entry into Brazil based on studies and technical opinions of all bodies involved, while respecting the principles of opportunity, convenience and precaution,” the Chief of Staff said.

THE FULL OFFICIAL NOTE:

“At a meeting this Tuesday (30), at the Planalto Palace, officials from the Chief of Staff and the Ministries of Health; Justice and Public Safety; Infrastructure; Foreign Affairs and the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (ANVISA) decided that there is need for further clarification on the epidemiological situation in Angola, Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia, with respect to the new coronavirus variant, called Omicron, before making a decision on the restrictions recommended in a technical note from ANVISA.

The monitoring of the epidemiological situation in the world, notably in countries with confirmed cases of the new variant, will be maintained by the Ministry of Health, through the Secretariat of Health Surveillance, which coordinates a situation room to monitor the evolution of the pandemic in Brazil and worldwide.

The Federal Government also remains alert to any change in the epidemiological profile with the states, municipalities, and the Federal District, and will continue to update the exceptional and temporary restrictions on entry into Brazil based on studies and technical opinions from all bodies involved, while respecting the principles of opportunity, convenience, and precaution.”