Brazil – COVID-19: RT-PCR Tests Required for All Inbound Travelers

BR – COVID-19: RT-PCR Tests for Inbound Travelers

A December 17, 2020 ordinance requires any travelers flying to Brazil (Brazilians and foreign nationals) as of December 30, 2020to present the negative RT-PCR test results and health declaration documents to the airline company. The ordinance has no expiration date.

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CONTACTS

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On December 11, 2020, the Brazilian authorities published a new note (or “ordinance”) in the country’s official gazette, extending to December 18 the travel restrictions on foreign nationals entering Brazil.1 This ordinance was replaced on December 17, 2020, by a new note introducing important changes to travel restrictions.²

The main measure applied by the latest ordinance is that, as of December 30, 2020, any travelers flying to Brazil (Brazilians and foreign nationals) must present the following documents to the airline company:

-         Negative RT-PCR test issued no later than 72 hours before the flight date; and

-         Completed Traveler's Health Declaration (in Portuguese, DSV) – in printed or digital version – confirming acceptance to comply with the health measures during the stay in Brazil.

Moreover, the December 17 ordinance has no expiry date provisions, which means it is valid until further notice from the Brazilian authorities.

WHY THIS MATTERS

The December 17 ordinance applies new measures and requirements, not only to foreign individuals, but also to Brazilian nationals who enter Brazil as of December 30, 2020.

Individuals scheduling trips to the country, and companies planning to resume their global mobility programs, have to be aware of the updates and current restrictions and conditions before traveling to Brazil.

There can be penalties imposed for non-compliance.

More Details

The December 17 ordinance continues travel restrictions for foreign nationals arriving by land or water transportation. Also, it continues to apply the special restrictions to individuals entering the country via the Brazil-Paraguay and Brazil-Venezuela land borders, introduced by previous ordinances.3

Furthermore, the new requirements of presenting a negative test for SARS-CoV-2 and a health declaration will affect not only foreign nationals but also Brazilian nationals who need to enter Brazil, as of December 30, 2020.

The latest ordinance continues to impose criminal sanctions and legal responsibilities on individuals not complying with its requirements.

KPMG NOTE

The authorities are constantly updating the rules in response to the changing pandemic situation. Travelers seeking to enter Brazil should regularly check the latest information made available by the nearest Brazilian Embassy or Consulate about entry into and exit from the country, and the restoration of passport and visa services.

The KPMG International member firm in Brazil continues to monitor the situation around travel and border restrictions and will endeavor to keep readers of GMS Flash Alert apprised of any new developments. 

FOOTNOTES

1  See the Brazilian government announcement of December 11, Portaria N° 615/2020 (in Portuguese) as published in the Diário Oficial da União, 11/12/2020, Edição: 237-C.

2  See the Brazilian government announcement of November 12, Portaria N° 630/2020 (in Portuguese) as published in the Diário Oficial da União, 17/12/2020, Edição: 241-B

3  For prior coverage of travel restrictions, see the following issues of GMS Flash Alert: 2020-469 (November 25,2020), 2020-425 (October 09,2020), 2020-417 (October 01, 2020), 2020-389 (September 04, 2020), 2020-348 (August 07, 2020), 2020-312 (July 10, 2020), 2020-284 (June 17, 2020) and 2020-119 (March 26, 2020).

*  Please note that KPMG LLP (U.S.) does not provide any immigration services.  However, KPMG Law LLP in Canada can assist clients with U.S. immigration matters.   

 

The information contained in this newsletter was submitted by the KPMG International member firm in Brazil.

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