Olympic Security Plan Receives Multi-Level Approval -- Rio Roundup

(ATR) Rio de Janeiro City and State officials signed off on 11 security protocols for the Olympic Games.

Approval from the Rio State Security Commission and the Civil Defense of Rio was the final step to finalizing the 2016 Games security plan. The protocols include counterterrorism measures and security for the ceremonies, among others.

"Here in Rio de Janeiro will be the biggest Olympic Games in history with the largest number of participating countries, athletes, and competitions" Andrei Rodrigues, Extraordinary Secretary of Security for Large Events (SESGE), said to local media.

"So consequently it has the largest operation. We need to have an intense schedule."

In total the Federal Government of Brazil will provide $93 million for the operation with 85,000 security forces. The forces will be comprised of civil, federal and military police, with additional help from the Brazilian military. All members of the security team will be monitored in real time from Rio de Janeiro during the Games.

Rodrigues has helped run the SESGE through the completion of the project despite the current political upheaval in the country.

Rio state secretary of security Mariano Beltrame told local media that the Ministry of Defense could be called in to provide additional manpower to protect highways and other important areas of the city. Rio de Janeiro made a similar request during the 2007 Pan American Games.

Visa-less Travel Begins

Citizens of Australia, Canada, Japan, and the United States can enter Brazil without a visa and stay for 90 days.

During the period from June 1 to September 18 tourists will be able to enter Brazil without a visa. According to the Brazilian Ministry of Tourism those four countries produced just over 750,000 tourists to Brazil in 2015, which the ministry hopes is greater in 2016 for the Olympics. The visa waiver period covers both the Olympic and Paralympic games in Rio de Janeiro.

Media estimates have put Brazil welcoming up to 500,000 tourists for the 2016 Games. Currently Brazil is facing a severe economic recession, with latest reports showing the country’s economy has contracted for the fifth straight quarter. Tourism officials in the country hope the ease of travel restrictions will provide a temporary boost for the country during the Games.

"The federal government visa waiver for tourists in the four countries took into account a number of factors such as countries that spend more on Brazil, have low risk of illegal migration, and strong Olympic traditions," Henrique Eduardo Alves, Minister for Tourism, said in a statement.

"These thousands of tourists who are expected to join in the festivities for the Rio Olympics will help the country's economy through spending on hotels, restaurants, car rentals, and other areas."

Written by Aaron Bauer in Rio de Janeiro

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