Brazil and Paraguay reopened this Thursday (15.101.2020) the International Friendship Bridge, a crossing between Foz do Iguaçu, in the State of Paraná, and Ciudad del Este, and two other border points that had been closed since March 18 due to measures to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic.
In Ordinance No. 478/2020, published on Wednesday (14.101.2020) in an extra edition of the Official Gazette of the Union, the Brazilian government authorized the entry of foreigners by land routes between Brazil and Paraguay, "provided that the immigration requirements appropriate to their condition, including the entry visa, when required by the Brazilian legal system" ".
The new ordinance extends for 30 more days the restriction on entry into Brazil of foreigners “by road, by other land means or by water transport” due to the pandemic. The entry of foreigners by air, through any airport in the country, has been cleared since September 25 and, last week, the Brazilian government further eased air traffic, eliminating requirements.
The joint ordinance, signed by the Civil House and the Ministries of Health, Infrastructure, Justice and Public Security, exceptionally authorizes the transit of foreigners who are in a country bordering Brazil and need to cross it to board a flight back to their country of residence. In this case, they must enter with authorization from the Federal Police and go directly to the airport. To do so, they must present an official request from the embassy or consulate of their country and the corresponding airline tickets.
Rules
None of the restrictions apply to native or naturalized Brazilians.. The other exceptions are for immigrants with permanent residence, for a fixed or indefinite period, in Brazilian territory; foreign professionals on a mission to serve an international organization, provided they are duly identified; foreign employees accredited to the Brazilian government; foreigners who are spouses, partners, children, parents or guardians of a Brazilian or whose entry is specifically authorized by the Brazilian government in view of the public interest or for humanitarian reasons; and holders of the National Migration Registry.
Cargo transportation, transshipment of maritime crew, traffic of border residents in twin cities, and cross-border humanitarian actions previously authorized by local health authorities are permitted.
Some of the exceptions do not apply to the Venezuelan border or to foreigners.
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