Florianópolis Recloses as Mayor Warns: There Will Be No Second Covid-19 Wave Here

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Despite its success in fighting the coronavirus, Florianópolis is taking a step back in relaxing isolation in the capital of Santa Catarina. The city’s municipal government has banned bars and restaurants from hosting customers at night and on weekends. In this case, only delivery will be allowed. Beauty parlors are only allowed to operate during the day.

The new measure was announced on Monday, June 22nd, by Gean Loureiro, the city’s mayor. According to him, the number of infections has increased and several points of crowding in the city were recorded over the weekend.

According to Loureiro, the number of infections has increased from 100 to 300, in addition to doubling the number of ICU hospitalizations. “It’s no reason to panic, but if we don’t take firm action now, the situation could spiral out of control. I’m not going to wait and see,” the mayor said.

Among the new measures implemented by the municipal administration include the closure of malls, galleries, retail centers, gyms, sports arenas and all non-essential public services. Beaches are only open to the practice of water sports and fishing. The street trade is still free. The use of masks is now mandatory throughout the city.

Anyone failing to comply can be fined between R$125 and R$1,200. The new rules will become effective from Wednesday, June 24th, and assessments on the relaxation of social distancing will be conducted every 14 days.

According to the mayor, public transports in the city is still free, but it may be suspended without notice if there is an increase in the cases of Covid-19 infection.

At the start of the month, Santa Catarina authorized the return of public transportation in the state’s cities, where the implementation rules are left to the municipalities. The state was one of the first to close its economy in the pandemic and has been considered an example in the handling of the health crisis.

Source: Exame