Brazil: Authorities ease domestic COVID-19-related restrictions in some states and tighten international travel restrictions as of May 20 /update 35

Event

Authorities in most states in Brazil have eased certain domestic COVID-19-related restrictions as of May 20. However, officials have implemented an entry ban for most international travelers who have been in India within the previous 14 days.

The city of Rio de Janeiro extended a ban on festivals and the use of entertainment venues until at least May 31. Most businesses, including restaurants, gyms, and retail stores are restricted to operating at 40 percent capacity and may remain open until 23:00.

A nightly 21:00-05:00 curfew remains in effect in the state of Sao Paulo until at least May 31. Most businesses, including restaurants, personal care services, parks, clubs, and some entertainment establishments, can operate at 30 percent capacity between 06:00-21:00. Authorities plan to ease business restrictions and increase establishments' maximum allowable capacity to 40 percent from May 24.

Measures in force in other states across Brazil include the following:

Bahia: Most municipalities will remain under a 21:00-05:00 nightly curfew through at least May 25. However, in the city of Salvador, the nightly curfew is in effect from 22:00-05:00. The sale of alcoholic drinks will be banned statewide from 18:00 May 21 through 05:00 May 24, except in Salvador. Events that may lead to public gatherings remain banned.
Federal District (Brasilia): A nightly 00:01-05:00 curfew remains in place; most nonessential businesses can remain open until 23:00 with capacity limits in place.
Ceara: Until at least May 23, a nightly 22:00-05:00 curfew remains in place. Most businesses may operate at 50 percent capacity and must close by 21:00.
Minas Gerais: Most of the state, including Belo Horizonte, remains at the Red Level of restrictions, allowing gatherings of up to 30 people and nonessential businesses to open with capacity limits. There is no nightly curfew in the state.
Parana: A nightly 22:00-05:00 curfew remains in place. Most businesses may operate at 50 percent capacity between 10:00-22:00 from Monday to Saturday and must close on Sundays. Cinemas and theaters remain closed, and events and public gatherings remain banned.
Rio Grande do Sul: Most nonessential businesses can open with safety protocols and capacity limits in place. There is no nightly curfew in the state.

Travel Restrictions
Restrictions for travelers entering Brazil have remained largely unchanged since late April. However, India has recently been added to Brazil's travel ban list. As of May 20, nonresident travelers who have been in India, South Africa, or the UK in the 14 days prior to arrival are banned from entering the country. Citizens, legal residents, and family members of Brazilian nationals, as well as essential travelers with permits who have traveled through those countries within the past 14 days, will be permitted to return to Brazil. However, these travelers must complete a two-week quarantine period upon arrival.

Travelers entering Brazil by air from other destinations must present a negative result from a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test taken no more than 72 hours before travel and must complete a pre-arrival health form. Foreign citizens are allowed to enter Brazil by air for visits of no longer than 90 days.

Nonresident foreign nationals remain prohibited from entering the country by land and water. Brazilian citizens, permanent residents, and their immediate family members, as well as foreign residents working for international organizations or traveling for trade or humanitarian purposes, are exempt from the ban. Apart from the overarching land border closures and as part of a joint agreement, the land border crossings with Paraguay - specifically those at Foz do Iguacu, Ponta Pora, and Mundo Novo - are open.

State and municipal officials could continue to modify their local restrictions depending on local disease activity and government preparedness to respond to the disease. All restrictions are subject to amendment at short notice.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements before arrival. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions. Reconsider and reconfirm nonemergency health appointments. Plan for queues and delays at available shopping centers.