The Federal Government is preparing a mega operation to bring to Brazil 240 million protective masks, acquired by the Ministry of Health in China. The Ministry of Infrastructure (MInfra), in charge of logistics, is consulting with national and foreign airlines to make freight freight, which adds up to 960 tons, possible from Guangzhou. For the transportation of the equipment, which should start arriving in Brazil in 15 days, State flight status will be granted, with the priority of landing and takeoff prerogatives.

MInfra developed a logistics and distribution plan, in support of the Ministry of Health, during the confrontation with Covid-19. The national plan includes actions to ensure agility in the transport of imported material, customs clearance at airports and in the distribution of equipment among the 27 units of the federation. The ministry is also looking for private partners willing to pay for the shipping of the masks to Brazil.

The Ministry of Infrastructure mapped the entire essential air network that continues to operate, as well as the use of commercial freighters, Brazilian Air Force (FAB) planes, official state vehicles and also the support of large importing companies that offered their logistical structure to the Government. Federal. "In a government effort to face the pandemic, we will guarantee the transport of the cargo of imported medical equipment to Brazil and its distribution in the states," said Minister Tarcísio Gomes de Freitas. "We work in close cooperation with the health area to help whenever there are bottlenecks or operational difficulties in the strategy already established to meet the country's needs," said Freitas.

Rapid tests 

To bring the load of 960 tons of three-layer surgical masks and also the N95 model to Brazil, MInfra estimates that up to 40 flights will be necessary, depending on the size of the aircraft involved. Each flight can last 40 hours, from the departure from China, involving at least one stopover, until the arrival at Guarulhos International Airport, in São Paulo. The Ministry of Infrastructure is also in contact with Itamaraty to define the best options for stopping aircraft abroad until they arrive in Brazil.

In addition to the mega operation, the Ministry of Infrastructure is already working to enable the arrival of at least 11 cargo flights contracted by Vale, also from China, with 540 tons of rapid tests, gloves, aprons, glasses, surgical masks and N95 donated by company. The first flight arrived last week with 500,000 rapid test kits. The second cargo is scheduled to arrive in São Paulo / SP on the afternoon of Thursday (9), with kits and masks. From the capital of São Paulo, the equipment will be distributed by the Ministry of Health to the entire system.

Minfra's articulation with airlines, airport operators, Federal Revenue Service, Federal Police, Anvisa and Vigiagro has guaranteed the best flight alternatives, routes and agility in disembarkation and cargo distribution in the states. This week, the ministry acted in partnership with the Government of Roraima to bring to the state, on Wednesday (8), a shipment of protection items purchased in Santa Catarina. The cargo left the South by road transport to Guarulhos International Airport / SP. From there, he embarked on a freighter to the International Airport of Manaus / AM and then to Boa Vista / RR by truck.