Want to know anything specific about the impact of coronavirus on filming in Brazil?

The first case of Covid-19 was officially confirmed on February 26 2020. Filming in Brazil has resumed. However, the country is large and safety recommendations vary from one region to another. Story Productions is closely following all the regional safety protocols for filming during the pandemic as well as the phased easing of restrictions for the commercial sector and the public at large, state by state.

Covid-19 vaccinations started in Brazil on January 17 2021. Priority groups include health professionals, the elderly, quilombola communities, and indigenous communities (almost 900,000 people). Over 86 per cent of the indigenous communities have already been fully vaccinated (as of March 3 2022).

Brazil has a population of more than 215 million inhabitants. As of March 2 2023, over 182 million people have been vaccinated: 85.05 per cent of the population has received a first dose, and 80.56 per cent has received a second dose. Around 50.52 per cent of the population has received a booster shot. The vaccines currently being used are CoronaVac (produced by the Butantan Institute in São Paulo), AstraZeneca/Oxford (produced by Fiocruz in Rio de Janeiro), Pfizer/BioNTech—and Janssen (produced by Johnson & Johnson in the US)—all administered in two doses

Want to film in Brazil? We provide full production services which include implementing regional safety protocols, whether that's in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro,  the Amazon, or other Brazilian locales. Contact us to confirm the current situation at your location of choice.

Case numbers

Case numbers vary from state to state, due to the latest variant in global circulation. Not a single Brazilian state is currently in lockdown.

Travel to Brazil

For detailed information on the requirements for foreigners entering Brazil, see our page on travelling to Brazil during Coronavirus.

Use of masks

While in most Brazilian cities mask use is no longer mandatory, some states have exceptions, such as the continued use in hospitals. As the mandates can vary greatly, rely on Story Productions to confirm the policies for your chosen filming location. In the state of São Paulo, from November 26th, everyone has to wear masks in public buses, terminals, subway stations and trains. As the mandates can vary greatly, rely on Story Productions to confirm the policies for your chosen filming location.

Where masks are required, they must be well-adjusted to the face, covering the nose and mouth, with no openings to allow the possible exchange of air or respiratory droplets. Bandanas or scarves are not permissible substitutes. Using a face shield without a mask is not allowed. Acrylic or clear plastic masks are not permitted. Masks cannot have an exhalation valve. Hand-made cloth masks must have more than one layer of cotton material and must be well-fitted.

Vaccine Passport

A vaccine passport is no longer required to access bars, restaurants, event venues, theaters, etc. As there can be specificities in the location you desire for your shoot, we recommend checking with Story Productions directly to help determine what will be needed.

Bringing equipment

Wishing to bring your own filming gear? Whether it's for TV, film, commercial or a photo shoot, importing gear sure requires forward planning! Read our complete guide to importing equipment to Brazil. 

Testing

If a Covid-19 test is required before returning to your country of origin, the São Paulo International Airport (GRU, the main international airport in the country) can perform a PCR test for approximately $75 USD. The test site is located in Terminal 3, and results are ready within 4 hours.

Brazil is as big as the continental United States and is the largest country in South America, with a population of 212 million. Similar to the US, some states have adopted policy approaches to contain the spread of Covid-19 that are at odds with the federal government’s response to the health crisis.

Governors have the power to adopt restrictive measures in their states during the pandemic, including social distancing, quarantine, and the closure of schools, leisure events, and businesses.