Since 2019, when the COVID 19 pandemic hit the world, the travel industry has been dealing with several restrictions. Two years down the lane, the world is finally heading for normalcy. Recently the Brazilian health authority ANVISA (Agencia Nacional de Vigilancia Sanitaria) announced the removal of mask restrictions implemented for the past two years. This decision of the ANVISA health authorities is taken positively by Brazilian airport and airline authorities. Brazilian airports and airlines have been coming up with new rules and regulations after altering according to the announcement by ANVISA.
No Mask anymore
After living with the mask for the last two years, the wait to lift it is over, and we can breathe fresh air. Masks will no longer be mandatory while onboarding a flight in Brazil.
Brazil has taken a tough stand in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic. Now, when the cases have been declining with higher vaccination rates, it has allowed the removal of mandatory masks on flights and the consumption of onboard food.
As par health authority ANVISA’s deputy director, Brazil’s covid scenario has been under control and calls for lifting strict restrictions. When mask restrictions began in December 2020, Brazil reported 751 deaths per day, but today it came down to 215 deaths per day after 1.5 years.
Higher vaccination rates have been an essential deciding factor for lifting masks, as per ANVISA health authorities. The vaccination didn’t start in December 2020, but today, in less than two years, it has already vaccinated 80% of its population.
Even though ANVISA has loosened its stringent rules of mask restrictions and food consumption while onboarding the flight, it has one rule unaltered. It concerns passenger management- the airline passengers have to get off the flight in one row followed by the other.
Following these announcements by ANVISA, leading Brazilian airlines have responded swiftly.
Azul Airlines promptly responded to the news announcing that masks no longer be required while onboarding their flights. Azul airlines were the first to retrieve its customer services.
LATAM Brasil Airlines welcomes ANVISA’s announcement, although it continues to encourage the voluntary use of masks to protect passengers. The airlines stated that at-risk passengers must continue using masks.
GRU Airport, Sao Paulo, following the ANVISA’s guidelines, has announced that passengers do not require mandatory masks at its terminals. Though, at-risk passengers with particular health conditions must continue using masks.
