The World Health Organization (WHO), in partnership with the Wellcome Trust and Brazil’s Ministry of Health, inaugurated a dedicated Health Pavilion inside COP30’s Blue Zone today. The space will host more than 60 side-events on climate and public health, but it has immediate practical value for travellers: WHO used the opening to reiterate Brazil’s health-entry rules and announce an on-site vaccination and rapid-testing clinic for late-arriving delegates.
Under Anvisa regulations, all foreign attendees must carry proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or a negative PCR (≤ 72 h) or antigen (≤ 24 h) test. Yellow-fever vaccination is strongly recommended for anyone transiting through forest zones, and the Health Pavilion clinic will provide free booster shots. Delegations from malaria-endemic countries can also obtain prophylaxis packs at cost price.
![WHO opens Health Pavilion and issues updated health-entry advice for COP30 delegates]()
Corporate medical directors welcomed the move, noting that many companies struggled to book last-minute tests when Brazil reinstated pre-boarding requirements for cruise travellers earlier this year. The on-site clinic eliminates a logistical headache for passengers whose itineraries include both cruise-ship accommodation in Outeiro and land sessions in Belém.
The pavilion is staffed by 40 multilingual clinicians and links electronically to the national e-Visa database, allowing health officials to update vaccination status in real time. Positive COVID-19 cases will trigger immediate isolation in pre-reserved hotel rooms outside the Green Zone, with daily transport provided for essential participation in negotiations via secure video link.
For mobility managers, the key takeaway is simple: ensure travellers upload digital vaccination certificates to Brazil’s Conecte SUS app before arrival, and make use of the pavilion’s walk-in service if documentation problems arise at immigration.
Under Anvisa regulations, all foreign attendees must carry proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or a negative PCR (≤ 72 h) or antigen (≤ 24 h) test. Yellow-fever vaccination is strongly recommended for anyone transiting through forest zones, and the Health Pavilion clinic will provide free booster shots. Delegations from malaria-endemic countries can also obtain prophylaxis packs at cost price.
Corporate medical directors welcomed the move, noting that many companies struggled to book last-minute tests when Brazil reinstated pre-boarding requirements for cruise travellers earlier this year. The on-site clinic eliminates a logistical headache for passengers whose itineraries include both cruise-ship accommodation in Outeiro and land sessions in Belém.
The pavilion is staffed by 40 multilingual clinicians and links electronically to the national e-Visa database, allowing health officials to update vaccination status in real time. Positive COVID-19 cases will trigger immediate isolation in pre-reserved hotel rooms outside the Green Zone, with daily transport provided for essential participation in negotiations via secure video link.
For mobility managers, the key takeaway is simple: ensure travellers upload digital vaccination certificates to Brazil’s Conecte SUS app before arrival, and make use of the pavilion’s walk-in service if documentation problems arise at immigration.
