The federal government is considering changing the classification from pandemic to endemic by Covid-19 in Brazil from the second half of March.
The Minister of Health, Marcelo Queiroga, told the CNN This Thursday (3) the government is studying the impact of this change, and which is based on the scenario of serious cases of the coronavirus in the country, which are reducing.
This decision, if announced, will ease a series of health measures, such as the use of masks. “Compulsory non-pharmacological measures are part of this context,” the minister replied to CNNreferring to the end of mandatory masks in the country.
Asked if Brazil intends to make this decision in line with the World Health Organization (WHO), which in 2020 declared the pandemic, the minister defended that the responsibility lies with each country.
“The WHO decision contemplates the global condition, however, according to the epidemiological scenario, several countries are anticipating this decision. It’s about a technical decision.” he said.
This Thursday, Queiroga was at the Planalto Palace and met with President Jair Bolsonaro to talk about the matter. Afterwards, he met with health ministers from other countries. “As the president announced, we are working to announce the downgrade to endemic Covid-19. The improvement of the epidemiological scenario, the expansion of vaccination coverage and other points will be considered. In addition, it is necessary to carry out an analysis of the regulatory impact of this measure”, explained the minister to the CNN.
Source: CNN Brasil
