Travel in Brazil Amid Pandemic: Here Are Things You Should Be Aware of Before Visiting the Latin American Country

The Latin American region, where Brazil is a part of, has been rich with tourist spots and plenty of celebrations and festivals to take part in.

Rio de Janeiro is considered one of Brazil's areas to be housing most of the attractions for visitors - from the colossal Art Deco statue of Christ called Cristo Redentor that towers over Rio de Janeiro to the white sand of Copacabana.

However, with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, traveling in Brazil might have dramatic changes with the implementation of restrictions and requirements.

Brazil Traveling Requirements

The U.S. Department of State has raised a Level 4 travel advisory for Brazil, and travelers were advised not to travel to the country due to the spread of COVID-19.

U.S. government personnel are not allowed to travel to areas within 150 kilometers of the international land borders with Venezuela, Colombia, and Peru without advance approval from security officials due to crime.

According to the State Department, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, and Paraguay are also included in the list.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also raised a Level 4 travel advisory in Brazil. However, the CDC advises that if one must travel to Brazil, they should ensure that they are vaccinated and updated with COVID vaccines before travel.

For those who are not vaccinated, testing as close to the time of departure, no more than three days, should be done, according to CDC.

In addition, wearing masks is required in indoor areas of public transportation. Children under the age of two do not need to test.

Where to Go in Brazil

Brazil offers a wide range of choices for travelers. People can enjoy the beachside and participate in the iconic carnival in Rio de Janeiro.

Brazil's financial capital Sao Paulo is also open to the public, with locals visiting the Museu de Arte de Sao Paulo, as well as at the 100-year-old Caffe Ristoro.

Due to the spread of COVID-19, many have changed in the area, starting with the Carnival festivities in Rio de Janeiro.

Instead of being held on the final weekend of February, officials have decided to celebrate it in late April as the number of COVID cases in Brazil jumped due to the continuous spread of the Omicron variant.

A joint statement issued by the cities of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo noted that the decision was made because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Paes and his Sao Paulo counterpart, Mayor Ricardo Nunes, conducted a video call to discuss the health crisis in Brazil. They coordinated with their health secretaries so they could properly decide on what to do.

"The decision was made respecting for the current situation of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil and the need, at this time, to preserve lives and join forces to drive vaccination throughout the country," as stated in the joint letter of Sau Paulo and Rio de Janeiro cities.

Paes said Rio's Street parties would not continue in the same manner they did before the pandemic. The parade is a major tourist attraction for Rio de Janeiro and a central figure of the city's pre-Lenten party.

For COVID-wary visitors, Sao Paulo could be a better option with its city parks, including the most famous Parque Ibirapuera, which occupies 1.6 million square meters, Bloomberg reported.

Cantareira in Sao Paulo is also known for its forested trails. Sao Paulo has not dismissed the mask requirement with vaccine passports needed to attend gatherings with more than 500 people.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

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