Bolsonaro: “If I had authority over the Covid issue, Brazil would be different”

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – President Jair Bolsonaro this Tuesday, June 1, said that were he to have had the authority to decide on issues related to Covid-19, Brazil would be in “a different situation.” The statement was made to supporters outside the Alvorada Palace.

The president was referring to the Federal Supreme Court’s (STF) ruling authorizing mayors and governors to decide on restriction and lockdown measures in their respective locations. However, the measure does not limit the actions of the federal government regarding the disease in the country.

“If I had authority over the Covid issue, the situation in Brazil would be different. I didn’t close anything, I didn’t tell anyone to stay home, I didn’t destroy jobs. As a result of clumsy decisions by governors and mayors, the events sector was devastated, tourism plummeted, the hotel sector, many people lost,” he pointed out.

Bolsonaro also criticized the opposition protests that took place across the country last weekend. “This Sunday’s leftist street protest, they claimed that they were wearing masks. If it’s okay to wear a mask, why can’t trade open with masks on? This is a protest that exploits the virus issue for political purposes,” he added.

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