Rio Prohibits Water, Gas and Power Cuts for Lack of Payment During Pandemic

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The governor of Rio de Janeiro, Wilson Witzel, has signed into law a bill that prohibits the suspension of electricity, gas and power supplies in the state of Rio de Janeiro during the new coronavirus pandemic. The law was published in a special edition of Monday’s State Gazette.

The measure also establishes that utility companies allow the payment of debts in installments after the period of restrictions imposed by the State due to the Covid-19.

According to the law, the measure is extended to individual micro-entrepreneurs (MEIs) and small businesses. In addition, fines or interest for late payment of public services during the contingency period are also suspended, as well as the ban on increasing the prices of products and services.