TORONTO — Brazil is easing COVID-19 travel restrictions due to a drop in cases and deaths, requiring only full vaccination and eliminating quarantine for those unvaccinated.

Visitors entering the country who have not been unvaccinated are still required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test result. The quarantine requirement will be lifted immediately.

In addition, traveller health statements used to track COVID-19 cases will no longer be required, effective immediately, while testing for vaccinated travellers will be suspended starting May 1.

According to Anvisa, Brazil’s health regulatory agency, it will be up to the Interministerial group to assess the epidemiological situation to define the most appropriate date for easing health measures.

“The recommendations can be reviewed by Anvisa, due to changes in the epidemiological scenario or in view of the need to adopt sanitary measures at ports, airports and borders to guarantee the health of the population,” said the agency.

Cruisers and cargo ships will still be subject to quarantine if COVID-19 cases are detected aboard and must remain in isolation when docked, with only health authorities allowed to board, added Anvisa.

According to the Health Ministry, the pandemic peaked in Brazil a year ago when more than 3,000 deaths were being recorded each day. On March 28, the Ministry reported 9,923 new cases of COVID-19 and 77 deaths in the previous 24 hours.