Statement from ANVISA (National Health Surveillance Agency)
Faced with the information that four Argentine players entered Brazil in breach of the country’s health regulations, by allegedly declaring false information in an official form of the Brazilian health authority, Anvisa met with representatives of the Ministry of Health and the Coordination of Disease Control of the São Paulo State Department of Health this Saturday (4/9).
After a meeting with the health authorities, it was confirmed, after consulting the passports of the four players involved, that the athletes did not comply with the
norm for the entry of travelers on Brazilian soil, provided for in Interministerial Ordinance No. 655, of 2021, which establishes that foreign travelers who have passed through the United Kingdom, South Africa, Northern Ireland and India in the last 14 days, cannot enter Brazil.
The players in question stated that they have not passed through any of the 4 countries with restrictions in the last 14 days. The travelers arrived in Brazil by plane from Caracas / Venezuela to Guarulhos. However, unofficial news reached Anvisa reporting alleged false statements made by said travelers.
Upon the news, Anvisa immediately notified the National Health Surveillance Strategic Information Center (CIEVS / MS), which coordinates the CIEVS network, responsible for epidemiological research with the state of São Paulo and the municipality of Guarulhos, so that the if investigated and traced.
When verifying that the information provided by the travelers was false, Anvisa clarifies that it has already communicated the fact to the Federal Police, so that measures are taken immediately within the scope of the police authority.
There is a notorious non-compliance with Interministerial Ordinance No. 655/2021 and the Brazilian immigration control regulations.
Anvisa considers the situation a serious health risk, for which reason it advised the local health authorities to determine the immediate quarantine of the players, who cannot participate in any activity and must be prevented from remaining in Brazilian territory, in accordance with the art. 11, of Federal Law No. 6437/77.