"Better to Lose Life Than Freedom"… This Country Welcomes Unvaccinated Entrants

Brazil to Not Require Vaccination Certificates... Unvaccinated Individuals to Quarantine for 5 Days

Jair Bolsonaro, President of Brazil.
Photo by Agencia Brasil, the state news agency

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] While Brazilian President Bolsonaro has consistently expressed a negative stance on COVID-19 vaccination, the Brazilian government recently decided to allow entry to foreign travelers who have not been vaccinated. This government quarantine policy has once again sparked strong criticism from the public.

On the 8th (local time), according to AFP and The Guardian, Marcelo Queiroga, Brazil's Minister of Health, announced that travelers entering from abroad will not be required to present proof of COVID-19 vaccination. However, unvaccinated travelers will be required to quarantine for five days. After the quarantine period, if they test negative on a PCR test, they will be allowed to travel immediately.

At a meeting with reporters, Minister Queiroga explained the reason for this decision, repeating President Bolsonaro's statement that "it is impossible to impose restrictions by distinguishing between vaccinated and unvaccinated people" and "sometimes losing freedom is worse than losing life."

President Bolsonaro has shown a negative attitude toward vaccination. He has compared vaccination certificates to a "leash," called those who criticize the decision not to vaccinate "fools," and made remarks such as "if you get vaccinated, you might turn into a crocodile." He also claimed that getting vaccinated increases the risk of contracting AIDS, which has led to an investigation by prosecutors.

In September, President Bolsonaro visited New York, USA, to attend the United Nations General Assembly but was unable to enter restaurants because he was not vaccinated. Regarding his refusal to get vaccinated, he claims, "I have already been infected with COVID-19, so I have developed antibodies."

Meanwhile, the city of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil is reportedly planning to hold the New Year's Eve event (Carnival festival), a world-famous event that attracts millions of people annually. Mayor Paes stated, "Rio de Janeiro has a low COVID-19 infection rate, a small number of hospitalizations, and very few deaths, possibly thanks to vaccines. Therefore, this event can be held safely."