Unvaxxed Jair Bolsonaro broke UN’s COVID vaccine ‘honour system’: Reports

Brazillian President Jair Bolsonaro was the first world leader to walk up to the United Nations General Assembly podium on Tuesday to deliver his address. However, the 66-year-old broke the meeting’s COVID vaccine-related “honour system”.

Earlier this month, officials of New York City insisted world leaders arrive at the United Nations headquarters after being vaccinated against the coronavirus. This later came to be known as the “honour system”.

“No. Not yet”, was the answer given by Bolsonaro when asked by United Kingdom’s Prime Minter Boris Johnson about his vaccination status.

Bolsonaro made the opening remarks on Tuesday, leading a long line of world leaders who are scheduled to go up on stage. United States President Joe Biden took the stage immediately after the Brazillian leader.

Bolsonaro’s speech made minimal references to his own vaccination status. “We support vaccination efforts, however, my administration has not supported a vaccine or health passport or any other vaccine-related obligations,” Bolsonaro said in his address, according to reports from Washington Post.

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A member of Brazil’s UN delegation to the General Assembly reportedly tested positive for COVID-19. This comes as 193 member nations participate in the General Assembly in New York starting Tuesday.

The member of the Brazilian delegation led by President Jair Bolsonaro, as per Bloomberg reports, was put in isolation after testing positive. The diplomat had tested negative before leaving Brazil, the report further quoted a person familiar with the situation at the Brazilian foreign ministry. As per reports, the diplomat isn’t authorized to discuss the matter in public, said the diplomat didn’t have contact with the president.  

The Brazillian leader has often made statements that projected a skeptical view of COVID-19 vaccines. Before leaving for the diplomatic summit, Bolsonaro said that his immunity was strong enough to fend off a COVID-19 infection.