Why is Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro eating pizza on the street in New York?

The unvaccinated leader, who is in town for the UN General Assembly, may not meet the Big Apple’s requirements for indoor dining

Meanwhile, a member of Brazil’s UN delegation has tested positive for Covid-19 in New York

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Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro (centre) eats pizza with members of his delegation in New York on Saturday. Photo: Gilson Machado Neto via Instagram/Reuters

Published: 5:05am, 21 Sep 2021Updated: 5:05am, 21 Sep 2021

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro ate pizza on the pavement in New York ahead of the UN General Assembly, likely because he does not meet the city’s Covid-19 vaccine requirements for indoor dining.

The Big Apple currently requires anyone wanting to eat inside to provide proof of at least one shot and Bolsonaro says he is not vaccinated.

“Luxury dinner in New York,” tweeted Brazil’s secretariat minister Luiz Eduardo Ramos alongside a photo of Bolsonaro enjoying a slice outside with several members of his delegation.

Tourism minister Gilson Machado also posted a photo of Bolsonaro with slice in hand, writing on Instagram that it was pizza and Coca-Cola for dinner.

We need to send a message to all the world leaders, including most notably Bolsonaro from Brazil, that if you intend to come here you need to be vaccinated

Bill de Blasio, New York mayor

“Bolsonaro likes to play humility … but it is not a question of taste,” said Brazilian columnist Reinaldo Azevedo, pointing out New York’s vaccine requirements.

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