President Jair Bolsonaro says Brazil's health minister is preparing a measure to no longer require face masks for people who have been vaccinated for the coronavirus or previously infected.
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Bolsonaro, who has opposed lockdowns and social distancing despite his country having the second-deadliest coronavirus outbreak, said in a speech on Thursday that quarantines should be only for infected people.
"They are useful for people who are infected," he said, adding: "Quarantines are for those who are infected."
Health Minister Marcelo Queiroga said Bolsonaro had asked him for a study on the use of masks in Brazil.
The minister, however, testified this week before a Senate commission of inquiry that masks should be used to prevent transmission.
He also contradicted Bolsonaro on the use of hydroxychloroquine, saying there was no evidence the anti-malaria drug is effective in treating COVID-19 patients.
On a weekly webcast to his supporters, Bolsonaro defended the use of chloroquine and said it had helped reduce COVID-19 deaths in Brazil, which he maintained have been over-reported by including fatalities caused by other illnesses.
More than 480,000 Brazilians have died from COVID-19, the second worst death toll outside of the United States.
Meanwhile, Brazil's vaccination program has been slow to get off the ground and the Senate inquiry is investigating whether Bolsonaro, a vaccine skeptic, deliberately delayed securing timely supplies.
Only 23.6 per cent of Brazil's population has received a first dose and just 10.2 per cent have been fully vaccinated with two doses, according to health ministry data.
Australian Associated Press
