Against WHO Guidelines, Bolsonaro Says He Will Hold BBQ for 30 Guests on Saturday

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Contrary to the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) and Brazil’s Ministry of Health, the President of the Republic, Jair Bolsonaro, on Thursday, May 7th, announced plans to hold a barbecue on Saturday at the Alvorada Palace.

The event should be attended by 30 guests and may include a soccer game with the involvement of Ministers and civil servants. The participants will have to make a contribution to help pay for the event, according to the President.

“I’m committing a crime. I’m having a barbecue on Saturday here at home. We’re going to have a chat, maybe a pick-up soccer game, some Ministers, some more humble servants who are on my side,” he told reporters outside the Alvorada Palace.

Bolsonaro said there would be 30 guests and that everyone will chip in to pay for the barbecue, although there will be no alcohol.

“Everyone will contribute R$70. There will be no alcohol, otherwise, the First Lady will kick everyone out,” he said.

Then, Bolsonaro joked with one of the reporters in attendance and invited him to the gathering on Saturday. “Do you want to play soccer? You look like a hopeless player,” he said.

The journalist said he was a regular supporter of the sport and has played as a goalkeeper. “Usually, hopeless players end up in the goal. You have just confessed that you can’t play,” the President said.

On Friday afternoon, after meeting supporters outside the official residence, the President began to joke with his security staff, journalists and supporters, raising the number of people he’d supposedly invite to 3,000.

Source: O Globo