The mayor of Rio de Janeiro, Eduardo Paes, said, this Tuesday (30), that the municipality will increase the list of establishments that will charge proof of vaccination.
The decision, according to the mayor, was motivated by the absence of a vaccination passport for entry into the country. The idea is to make it difficult for unvaccinated tourists to come.
“It is unacceptable that Brazil has not required proof of vaccination,” said Paes, who mentioned Spain and Portugal as countries that are making this type of requirement. “There’s nothing wrong with that, there’s no problem, it would be good for Brazil to demand it”, complained the mayor.
he told the CNN on Tuesday morning, he gave “full support” to Health Secretary Daniel Soranz for the implementation of the measure.
Although there is a recommendation by the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) to tighten rules at the borders, the Ministry of Health has not yet taken a stand in favor of the vaccine passport.
The city of Rio de Janeiro, as well as that of São Paulo, has already sent letters to the folder asking for restrictive measures to unvaccinated tourists. The concern, also of health specialists, is that Brazil becomes a destination sought after by foreigners who have not received the immunizing agent.
“Regardless of having New Year’s Eve or Carnival, Rio receives many tourists, the hotels are full, we start to demand yes (proof of vaccination) so that people know that tourists who have been vaccinated will be well received here”, warned Paes.
The Scientific Committee that advises the city of Rio was recommended to tighten up the collection of passports. Among the sectors that should start asking for proof of vaccination is accommodation.
New Year’s Eve party maintained
Eduardo Paes spoke again about the maintenance of planning for the New Year’s Eve party in Rio de Janeiro.
He explained that the epidemiological situation in the city is comfortable, but, in case of need, the event that brings together millions of people, mainly on Copacabana Beach, in the south zone, will be cancelled.
Paes said he won’t “go canceling things” until the needs are clear. “If restrictions are necessary, if the Scientific Committee of the City Hall and the health authorities say they have to cancel New Year’s Eve, Carnival, and that there can’t be this or that, it’s obvious that we won’t insist on this thesis,” he said. .
According to the municipal secretary of Health, Daniel Soranz, the next meeting is scheduled for December 20th. About the contracts in force for the event, in case of cancellation, Paes said that “this is something that we will have to think about later.” Therefore, there is no deadline for the definition.
The City Hall’s effort, at the moment, is to maintain the current epidemiological scenario, with a low transmission rate and the number of hospitalizations and cases of the disease, in addition to increasing vaccination coverage.
According to the Municipal Health Department, 76.8% of the Rio population are immunized with the two doses. There is an expectation of reaching 80% of Cariocas to ensure greater security.
Reference: CNN Brasil
