Brazil – COVID-19: Flight Crew-Members Exempt from Presenting RT-PCR Tests
BR – Crew-Members and Presenting RT-PCR Tests
With the publication on January 8, 2021, of a new note (or “ordinance”) by Brazil’s government, flight crew-members are now on the exception list pertaining to who is required to present an RT-PCR test if they are to enter Brazilian territory. The ordinance also details conditions that must be observed by airline companies concerning crew-members entering and staying in Brazil.
An update to the travel restrictions on foreign nationals arriving in Brazil has occurred with the publication on January 8, 2021, of a new note (or “ordinance”) in the country’s official gazette.1 The latest ordinance issued by Brazil’s authorities includes flight crew-members on the exception list pertaining to who is required to present an RT-PCR test if they are to enter Brazilian territory.
Additionally, all flights from the United Kingdom continue to be suspended. Travelers from the United Kingdom who have recently arrived in Brazil must respect a 14-day quarantine period accordingly.
Moreover, the latest ordinance continues to require the presentation of a negative RT-PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 and a traveler’s health declaration, of foreign nationals and Brazilian nationals who need to enter Brazil.
WHY THIS MATTERS
The new ordinance continues to affect all travelers planning to fly to Brazil from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland as well as any individuals scheduling trips to the country, regardless of their nationality. They should be aware of the updates and current restrictions and conditions concerning the requirements around RT-PCR tests and health declarations.
Also, the ordinance will affect directly international airlines with flights scheduled to Brazil as all crew-members on board are exempt from presenting RT-PCR tests to enter Brazilian territory.
More Details
Requirements around presenting RT-PCR tests have been updated to include flight crew-members on the list of those who are exempt from presenting the test results if they are entering Brazilian territory. Among others, the ordinance detailed the conditions that must be observed by the airline company such as:
- Hotel accommodation to crew-members must be single-person occupancy, in the event that a crew-member is required to stay in Brazilian territory following a flight and/or in between flights;
- Airline companies must check regularly all crew-member’s health condition and communicate any health issues to the Brazilian authorities.
Furthermore, the latest ordinance continues to impose sanctions on any individual who violates its terms – such as immediate deportation.
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, as well as 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 23, Portaria N° 651/2020 (in Portuguese) as published in the Diário Oficial da União, 08/01/2021, Edição: 5-A.
2 For prior coverage of travel restrictions, see the following issues of GMS Flash Alert: 2021-007 (January 5 ,2021), 2020-501 (December 22 ,2020), 2020-469 (November 25,2020), 2020-425 (October 9, 2020), 2020-417 (October 1, 2020), 2020-389 (September 4, 2020), 2020-348 (August 7, 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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