The IBGE will start the Approval Test for Equipment and Systems of the 2021 Census in the municipality of Engenheiro Paulo de Frontin (RJ).

The test is part of the preparatory steps for the 2021 Census and aims at evaluating, in the field, the devices used in the data collection, the capture, transmission and monitoring systems used for the collected information and the approach to the respondent.

As in the actual Census operation, the test - scheduled for the period between March 3 and 5 - will collect data on surroundings, analyzing the items as street lightning, access ramps for wheelchair users and others.

Data collection and supervision steps, scheduled to start on March 15, will be rescheduled due to health issues brought by the Covid-19 pandemic. The test will be applied in every enumeration area of Engenheiro Paulo de Frontin/RJ, with face-to-face or telephone interviews and also by means of self-filling questionnaires on the Internet, with a deadline yet to be defined.

With the purpose of testing the specific features of a census operation not found in Engenheiro de Paulo de Frontin, the collection will also be carried out in subnormal agglomerates and in improvised households in the municipality of Nova Iguaçu (RJ). The collection period is yet to be defined due to the restrictions currently imposed by the pandemic.

Likewise, data will be collected in 19 enumeration areas of Traditional Communities and Peoples (Indigenous and  Quilombolas), spread between the municipalities of Angra dos Reis (RJ) and Paraty (RJ), for testing functionalities specifically designed for those populations. The IBGE plans to carry out the collection in the period between March 29 and April 9, always in accordance with the restrictive measures and observing local conditions due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

As part of the test, after collection itself, a Post Enumeration Survey in selected sectors will take place as a way to verify the collection operation.

The IBGE counts on the local residents' participation cooperating with the enumerators.

The population’s response to this test is highly important, because it will contribute to the 2021 Census’s success. In August, the survey reaches every municipality in order to better understand the population’s living conditions, give support to public polices as to the number of daycares, health centers and other local demands.

The IBGE enumerators work in accordance with the health protocols established due to the Covid-19 pandemic, with personal protective equipment (PPE) to preserve the life and health of everyone involved in the operation, including the respondents.

Furthermore, as in every IBGE survey, the obtained information is confidential and secrecy is guaranteed.