Ordinance issued by Ministers of the Presidency imposes exceptional and temporary restrictions on the entry of foreigners in Brazil by maritime transportation
On March 26th, the Ordinance nº 47, issued by Ministers of the Civil House, Justice and Public Security, Infrastructure and Public Health, imposes even more severe restrictions to foreigners entering the country by waterway.
Aligned to recent Normative Acts, in this Ordinance, the restriction to the entry of foreigners in Brazil is based on a technical and well-founded recommendation from the Brazilian National Health Surveillance Agency - ANVISA, which considers health reasons in connection with the risks of contamination and dissemination of the coronavirus (Covid-19).
According to the Ordinance, the disembark of foreigners, regardless of their nationality, in a port or point in the Brazilian territory, by waterway, is restricted for 30 (thirty) days, unless medical assistance is necessary or prove of a flight connection returning to their country of origin.
The failure to comply with the restrictive measures imposed in the Ordinance may lead to civil, administrative and criminal liability of the infringer, in addition to its repatriation or immediate deportation; and disqualification of asylum applications.
The restriction imposed by Ordinance nº 47 does not apply to:
- Brazilian, born or naturalized;
- immigrant with permanent residence, for a fixed or indefinite period, in Brazilian territory;
- foreign professional on mission at the service of an international organization, as long as duly identified;
- foreign employee accredited to the Brazilian Government; and
- a foreigner who is a spouse, partner, child, father or curator of a Brazilian; whose entry is specifically authorized by the Brazilian Government in view of the public interest; or who has a National Migration Registry.
The Ordinance reiterates its concern with the continuity of port activities, however safeguarding the transportation and unloading of cargo by limiting the disembark of foreigners as detailed above.
The Maritime team is available in case of any further necessary information.