Rio Mayor Crivella Tightens Restrictions in Attempt to Contain Coronavirus Spread

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Mayor of Rio de Janeiro, Marcelo Crivella, announced on Monday, May 11th, a set of new restrictions to try to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus pandemic in the capital of the state of Rio de Janeiro.

Classified by the Mayor himself as a “semi lockdown,” the measures include a ban on human and vehicle traffic in central areas of a number of neighborhoods in the northern and western zones, a ban on parking along the southern waterfront, on shopping in the favelas and even on betting on lottery houses. Bars, snack bars, and restaurants in the city may only operate on a delivery system, with their doors closed.

The measures will be published in a decree in an extra edition of the Federal Gazette on Tuesday, May 12th, and will be effective for seven days. “We have seen an increase in cases (of the novel coronavirus) now in early May,” Crivella said.

“All our efforts to date have been to take balanced measures, to preserve lives and, as much as possible, to preserve essential trade activities”. The Mayor considered that the municipality is achieving “good results” in fighting the spread of the pandemic, even though Crivella himself acknowledged the growth in the infection curves.

Among the measures is the restriction of vehicle traffic in the central regions of Santa Cruz, Madureira, Freguesia, Taquara, Realengo, Guaratiba, Tijuca (Saens Peña Square), Grajaú, Méier, Pavuna, and Cascadura. Only residents may use their cars in these locations. Squares and pedestrian-only shopping areas in these neighborhoods, which have recorded crowds of people, will be closed.

Lottery houses throughout the city will also have their activities reduced. “We are banning lottery gambling,” determined the Mayor. “Lotteries will operate by providing benefits, receiving bills, but no face-to-face gambling. Gambling can be made over the Internet,” he added, alleging that these places have a high concentration of elderly people.

Under the new decree, bars, restaurants, and snack bars will only be able to operate in a delivery system. The doors will have to remain closed. “They may even operate, but only behind closed doors”.

“There can be no chairs on the sidewalk, no crowding, no consumption on the premises,” Crivella said. The preceding decree established a ban on consumption in these establishments, but several bars have kept their doors open and provided consumption of alcoholic beverages on the sidewalk.

In the favelas, only pharmacies and supermarkets may operate. Any other commercial activity is to remain closed.

Source: Estadão Conteúdo