São Paulo to increase permitted business opening hours, starting this Saturday

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – All commerce in the state of São Paulo will have extended opening hours starting Saturday, May 1st. According to the government, this step is still within the so-called “transition phase” from the more restricted red quarantine to orange, with fewer restrictions.

Despite the change in operating times, capacity restrictions remains the same: 25% for any type of business establishment.

With this change, commerce can open from 6 AM to 8 PM. Despite the change in operation times, capacity remains the same, 25% for any type of establishment. This rule will be in force until May 9th.

According to São Paulo’s Economic Development Secretary, Patricia Ellen, the nightly curfew is still in effect, from 8 PM to 5 AM. State and city parks can open from 6am to 6pm. Remote work for non-essential administrative activities is still mandatory. The rules in education also remain unchanged.

“We have a work front with the Contingency Center to make continuing evolution in the São Paulo Plan, strengthening the testing and contagion isolation plan. We are working on this revision to take a step further to control the pandemic and at the same time have a resumption of the economy in a responsible way,” said the secretary at a press conference on Wednesday.

Last week, the São Paulo government started the partial reopening of several commercial activities. First, shopping malls and street commerce were authorized, and last weekend it was the turn of restaurants, beauty salons and gyms.

Despite the flexibilization, governor João Doria (PSDB) reinforced that it is not a complete release and that it is important to maintain social isolation. “This does not mean that we are liberating anything. It is important that people understand that if they can stay at home, stay at home and preserve their life. And if you have to go out because of absolute necessity, wear a mask,” Doria said.

ICU beds occupancy rate statewide stands at 80% and 78% in Greater São Paulo. The figures are lower than a month ago, when it was above 90%. On Tuesday, April 27th, 1,044 deaths by Covid-19 were registered in 24 hours across the state, but the number was below the peak recorded at the beginning of the month, when 1,389 victims in one day were registered.

Quarantine rules in São Paulo, in force from May 1st to May 9th

Commerce, shopping malls, restaurants, salons and gyms: allowed to open from 6 AM to 8 PM, at 25% capacity
Bars can only work in the restaurant mode, following the same rules
Remote work of administrative services is mandatory
Parks can open from 6 AM to 6 PM
Cultural activities (museums, galleries, and similar): from 6 AM to 8 PM, at 25% capacity
Curfew: from 8 PM to 5 AM
Churches and temples can open, at 25% capacity
Schools can open at 35% capacity

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