Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro vaccine passport requirement takes tourists by surprise

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – On the first day of the Rio de Janeiro municipal decree requiring presentation of proof of vaccination against Covid-19 in collective use places, visitors experienced problems when accessing tourist attractions.

The rule issued by Mayor Eduardo Paes, applicable to locals and tourists alike, demands the “vaccine passport,” through a physical vaccination booklet, a ConecteSUS digital wallet, or an official Municipal Health Secretariat certificate. International certificates are also accepted.

Tourists trying to visit Christ the Redeemer were among those who experienced problems because of the novelty. Friends Fernanda Gueretz, 26, Thalitta Borba, 28, and Heloísa Gregol, 24, virtually wasted their trip.

The friends had their trip planned since February and the first visit scheduled was precisely to Corcovado.

“We were not informed by the travel agency, nor by the hotel. We only found out when we got here and the app asked for a password that we couldn’t remember,” says Gueretz. Her next destination was the Sugarloaf cable car, which also requires the vaccine passport.

In late August, when the decree was presented, Paes anticipated potential obstacles for tourists.

“If visitors come from any part of Brazil and want to visit Rio for vacation, now in September or October, they will be very welcome. But be aware that, in order to visit the city, you will be required to show your vaccination card,” he pointed out.

The document is required to access movie theaters, gyms, stadiums and other collective use establishments. The goal is to encourage the population to be vaccinated against Covid-19. Anyone who has only taken the first dose and is waiting for the second needs to show evidence of this.