Quarantine in São Paulo: government will not extend business hours or capacity limits

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Last week, São Paulo governor João Doria announced a transition plan that would result in increased opening hours for businesses starting next month.

This will now not take place as announced. The government of São Paulo has decided not to extend capacity limits and business opening hours, planned to begin on June 1. This means that there will be no change in quarantine until June 14. The current rule allows establishments to open with 40% capacity between 6 AM and 9 PM.

A curfew between 9 PM and 5 AM remains in place. State and city parks may open from 6 AM to 9 PM. Remote work for non-essential administrative services is still mandatory. The government has determined that all rules apply to the entire state, differently from what has been the case until now.

Last week, the plan was to increase capacity to 60% and to extend business hours to 10 PM. According to governor Doria, the reversal of position was based on a recommendation from the São Paulo State Covid-19 Contingency Center.

“We have been advised that this is not the time to move forward as we had planned last week. There was an increase in the incidence of cases. The number of hospitalizations was more moderate, and this is also quite suggestive as a result of the vaccination process. We have emphasized that we have a high circulation of the virus, so we should resume activities, but with all safety measures,” said Paulo Menezes, coordinator of the health committee, in a press conference on Wednesday, May 26.

ICU bed occupancy rate in the state of São Paulo stands at 80%. The daily average of new admissions in ward and ICU beds had dropped in April, but has been rising again since last week. On Wednesday, it stands at 2,595 requests per day. Paulo Menezes says that the numbers are expected to drop from the second half of June.

Quarantine rules in force until June 14:

Trade, shopping malls, restaurants, salons, and gyms: allowed to open from 6 AM to 9 PM, at 40% capacity;
Bars may only operate in restaurant mode, following the same rules;
Remote work for administrative services is mandatory;
Parks may open from 6 AM to 9 PM;
Cultural activities (museums, galleries, and the like): from 6 AM to 9 PM, at 40% capacity;
Curfew: 9 PM to 5 AM;
Churches and temples may open, at 40% capacity;
Schools: rules are still under review. For now, they may open at 35% capacity.