Rio awaits health decision on passport vaccination for carnival tourists

The Minister of Health of the Municipality of Rio de Janeiro, Daniel Soranes, said that the city of Rio hopes that the Ministry of Health will evaluate the possibility of adopting the vaccination passport for foreigners who come to enjoy Carnival in Brazil. The statement was made during a public hearing of the Rio City Council’s Special Carnival Committee.

“Passport vaccination is the only measure we are still studying to maintain in the city. We have already asked the Ministry of Health to evaluate the passport application for people from other countries who come to Brazil, and the Ministry appreciates this situation. For the cariocas, we will determine, over the next few weeks , whether we will keep the vaccination passport,” Sorans wonders.

Infectious disease specialist Roberto Medrono, who advises the state government on the scientific committee, questioned the measures taken by the city of Rio.

“I praise when I have to praise, but criticize when I have to. I was worried when the city council released the masks in gyms. I’m part of the state advice committee and we were against it. I’m sure we’re not going to get to pointers in our state or in the country. Our state It attracts the whole world. We are invaded by tourists who bring joy. “I would like the city to make clear the need for a vaccination passport,” Medrono said.

The Rio de Janeiro Municipal Health Service estimates that with the booster dose being authorized, the municipality of Rio would have nearly half of the total population vaccinated and about 70% of adults immunized with the third dose.

“There is health security for Carnival and New Year’s in the city. At the moment, there is no scientific evidence to suggest that the virus will overcome the vaccine barrier. If there is any indication, we will resume the necessary measures,” Sorans said.

Currently, in the city of Rio, 0.5% of the family is occupied by Covid-19 patients. “We think 5% of the total population is a reasonable number, but we have 0.5%, which is a very small number, and there are 38 patients in the city.” The test positive rate is 3%. Today, there are 76% of Rio’s total population, Soranz added, with two doses of Covid-19 immunization devices.

Health does not exclude vaccination fees

The Minister of Health, Marcelo Quiroga, does not rule out the possibility that Brazil will start requiring proof of vaccination from foreigners when it enters the country.

At an event to promote vaccination, in Rio de Janeiro, on Saturday (20), the minister said that the possibility of starting to request proof of the two doses against Covid-19 was under discussion with Anvisa.

“Health surveillance in Brazil is very active and we have discussed this with Anvisa, within the Ministry of Health itself, with other ministries. This is an inter-ministerial measure to provide more security for our residents. We are studying all these facts in order to provide more security for the Brazilian people. Very good regarding the COVID-19 epidemic. We have beds available in our intensive care units. So let’s work in a coherent way to achieve more and more effectiveness in these public policies.”

(*With information from Isabel Salem, from CNN, in Rio de Janeiro)