Unvaccinated Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro Eats Pizza Outside New York Restaurant

Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro was spotted dining at a New York sidewalk with his aides Sunday night shortly after his arrival ahead of the United Nation General Assembly. The far-right leader who remains unvaccinated, was seen happily munching on a slice of pizza on a sidewalk instead of getting a table on his first night in the Big Apple as most of the city’s restaurants do not allow customers to dine-in without proof of COVID-19 vaccination.

As it is, unvaccinated heads of state attending the assembly may have to settle for the city’s al fresco dining experience.

World leaders are attending the United Nation General Assembly this week with Bolsonaro being the first head of state to address the annual assembly.

Brazil’s minister of tourism Gilson Machado shared the pizza moment on social media where Bolsonaro’s supporters lauded the Brazilian leader’s casual simplicity who seemed quite content to eat on the street near the hotel he was staying at in Manhattan.

According to Reuters, New York Bill de Blasio has appealed to all leaders to get vaccinated before arriving to attend the UN meet. He fired this statement “most notably Bolsonaro from Brazil” during a news conference. "If you don't want to be vaccinated, don't bother coming," he added.

On the other hand, General Assembly President Abdulla Shahid addressed the 193- member states on the UN’s vaccination honor system. Shahid said that presidents and prime ministers as well other diplomats attending the General Assembly will not be required to show proof of COVID-19 immunization jabs.

Those in attendance simply need to swipe their ID badges upon entry at the assembly hall.The same honor system was applied in June for diplomats attending its daily meetings. Some state leaders have criticized the vaccination requirement, most notably Russia, as most of New York City’s convention centers required proof of vaccination.

The U.N. has been debating on ways to diplomatically implement the New York City vaccination mandate with Shahid caught in the midst of supporting the policy but remaining mum on how its vaccination honor system would work as a number of leaders have sent their statements in lieu of their absence due to the pandemic.

With Brazil recording the second highest death toll of more than 585,000, Bolsonaro has been vocal about his skepticism on the vaccine and said he would not get the shot any time soon. When asked about his stand on getting the COVID-19 jab during a television interview last December, the Brazilian leader’s unperturbed reply was, “I’m not going to take the vaccine, period. You think my life is at risk? That’s my problem. Period.”

He has since faced much criticism as he repeatedly stated his stand and said that he would not force anyone else to get the shot.