Liberdade religiosa na pandemia: a intervenção jurisdicional na restrição do direito à liberdade de culto

The emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on the socialization, work, and daily life of billions of people around the world. The pandemic has not only affected individuals' health and physical integrity, but has also transformed the world as we know it. Due to the necessary social distancing and isolation measures to reduce the contamination rate, the authorities have been forced to restrict circulation and enforce the use of masks, making it impossible to gather in large groups, including religious celebrations. The article aims to discuss the limits of the restriction of the right to religious freedom concerning the needs of protecting public health during the pandemic, and the role of the Brazilian Supreme Court in these circumstances. The methodology used in this study includes the analysis of relevant judicial decisions and a literature review to study the essential content of religious freedom and its limits.