Coronavirus in Londrina, Brazil

By cregger

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Sep 30, 2020 Update

We Asked: What is currently happening with regard to the Coronavirus outbreak in your area? Please provide as much detail as possible. He replied...

The city of Londrina (pop. 575,000) has not been as affected as a lot of areas in Brazil. As of Sept 30, we have had 10.125 cases and 255 deaths reported. The city has gone into lockdown several times, and masks are mandated at all times when you leave the house, indoors and out. The people have accepted these restrictions and generally comply without making a big deal about it.

How People are Coping

We Asked: How are people handling the situation in your area? He replied...

I am learning to live with the restrictions and wearing a mask has become second nature. I basically only leave the house to go to the store, pharmacy or bank. I am a widower and live alone, so lack of contact with family and friends has been difficult at times. The biggest hardship for me has been the inability to travel, something I was very much looking forward to when I moved here a little over a year ago.

Government Response

We Asked: Describe how the government of the country about which you are reporting is handling this situation. He replied...

Unfortunately, the President of Brazil has largely blown off the whole pandemic and has done little to stop it's spread.

Supplies and Shortages

We Asked: Is there a shortage of supplies in your location? He replied...

So far, none. Our stores are well-stocked and there has been no rationing of anything.

Travel Restrictions and Related COVID-19 Testing

We Asked: Are non-citizens allowed to travel to your country? Describe travel restrictions, COVID-19 testing requirements and any details about traveling into your country. He replied...

The laws change a lot, but I believe Brazil is only allowing residents and Brazilian citizens to travel here, with a few, select exceptions

Health Insurance Requirements

We Asked: Is health insurance required when traveling into the country? Is it required when applying for residency? Is this a new requirement since COVID-19? Describe the health insurance requirement. He replied...

Health insurance is not required for residents and citizens, and I do not believe it is required when applying for residency, but am not sure.

COVID-19 Testing

We Asked: How easy or difficult is it to get a COVID-19 test locally? Where can you get tested? Do you need to have symptoms or a prescription from a doctor? Describe the process. He replied...

I have not been tested, or sought out a test. I have seen several drive-in testing sites around the city, but do not know if they are free or what the requirements might be to get tested.

Public Healthcare & Public Hospitals

We Asked: Are you enrolled in the public healthcare system where you live? Do you feel that the public hospitals are handling or preparing for the Coronavirus outbreak effectively? He replied...

I am enrolled in the public health system here, and have also purchased private health insurance from a company here in Londrina. The newspaper prints the virus statistics daily, new cases, deaths, percentage of cases requiring hospitalization, percentage of cases requiring ICU admission, and percentage of ICU bed utilization in the city.

Private Health Insurance & Private Hospitals

We Asked: Do you have private health insurance? If you have private insurance, does this give you access to private hospitals? Are private hospitals or clinics better prepared, less prepared, or the same? Please explain. He replied...

As stated above, I have both the public health plan, and private insurance. I honestly do not know how the private hospitals are handling the pandemic, but their statistics are reported in the daily totals, just not separately.

Hospital of Choice for Coronavirus Treatment

We Asked: Would you choose a public or private hospital if you needed treatment for Coronavirus? Why? If there is a specific hospital that you would go to in the event of severe illness? Which hospital and why? He replied...

I am not sure, but I believe there are only a few hospitals in Londrina that are designated for Covid cases. I am not sure if you have a choice as to where you are treated.

Residency & Visa

We Asked: Are new residency applications being processed? Have there been any changes or extensions made in terms of residency and other visa renewals? He replied...

Brazil is notoriously slow in the processing of residency applications. It took a little over one year for me to find out that my initial application was denied. I am currently here on a temporary one year visa that I hope will be converted to a permanent residency visa in June 2021. Again, the laws concerning residency here are constantly changing.

Future Outlook

We Asked: Are you considering returning to your home country due to the Coronavirus? Would this be a temporary move or a permanent repatriation? Please explain. He replied...

As I stated above, the biggest change for me has been the inability to travel, both domestically here, and around the world. My whole retirement was planned around travel, so it has been a big blow to me. I love the city of Londrina, and enjoy living here very much.

Other Thoughts

We Asked: Do you have any other thoughts you would like to share? He replied...

Thank you for allowing me to participate, and I hope this helps.