Covid-19: Rio Court Orders Closure of Búzios to Tourists, Bans Access to Beaches

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – After the increase of Covid-19 cases in the peninsula, Judge Raphael Baddini de Queiroz Campos, of the 2nd District Court, banned the access of tourists to the city and beaches and the traffic of taxis, app cars and intermunicipal buses. The decision came on Wednesday, December 16th.

The measure comes just before Christmas and New Year, when Búzios is traditionally crowded with tourists from Brazil and abroad, particularly from neighboring countries like Argentina. Anyone who is not a resident and is currently there has up to 72 hours to leave.

The magistrate put the city on the red flag, the worst of all designed to classify the pandemic situation in each location. In practice, this means that a complete social isolation is required to prevent the healthcare system from collapsing.

The judge considered that Búzios failed to comply with obligations that it had agreed with the Prosecutor’s Office and the Public Defender’s Office during the pandemic. For instance, it has not increased the number of ICU beds. The decision has established a fine of R$100,000 in case of noncompliance, but the city hall may still appeal.

Other restrictions enforced by the decision involve the interdiction of events that promote crowds, such as worship services, parties, shows and markets. This prohibits New Year’s Eve celebrations in the city’s traditionally busy party venues.