Commerce Allowed in Covid-19 Case-Free Cities in Rio State

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Municipalities in the state of Rio de Janeiro that have no recorded or suspected cases of Covid-19, and that are able to maintain strict health barriers may permit the opening of stores.

The authorization was granted by a decree from Governor Wilson Witzel, which was published yesterday. However, rules to prevent crowds are retained and public and private schools must remain closed. So far, 28 municipalities within the state have been included in this situation, but the number of cities may change daily, depending on epidemiological data.

According to Edmar Santos, the state Secretary of Health, the decision does not alter the state government’s strategy of encouraging social isolation in the cities that already record cases of the disease.

“It is now absolutely logical that municipalities that do not have any cases of the disease may operate as the Capital did when there were no confirmed cases, for instance. There is no change of model or strategy here”.

“In every municipality with a positive case, we will reverse this. But I want to stress that our policy continues to be one of social isolation in places that already have community transmission,” the Secretary of Health said.

A decree published in a special edition of this Monday’s Federal Gazette by Governor Wilson Witzel also allows commercial establishments to operate, only on a home delivery basis, in cities with recorded cases.

“We will authorize delivery services for commerce throughout the state, in an agreement with FECOMERCIO (labor union), FIRJAN (Federation of Industries of the State of Rio de Janeiro) and companies. It’s like selling over the Internet, there won’t be crowds of people in stores. There will be no drive-thru, that is, people buying inside the car, only the delivery trade, delivering at home, to provide some convenience to companies that have loyal customers,” the governor added.

Governor Wilson Witzel reiterated his earlier call for the population who live in cities that already record community transmission to remain at home. Last weekend there was an increase in the circulation of people on sidewalks along Rio’s beaches.

“We are still at the beginning of the pandemic and people need to understand that we need to remain at home. There has been a lot of activity on the streets and on the beaches, we have an increase in the number of hospitalizations and this is worrying. It’s not yet the time to be on the streets, except for the activities already authorized. I urge people to reflect. The virus is not choosing age, people under 50 are being hospitalized,” he said.

Edmar Santos said Covid-19’s number of ICU admissions in Rio’s public hospitals has increased during the past few days, from seven to 21 percent.

“The disease has already started to reach needy communities, which concerns us greatly, increasing admissions to public hospitals. Thus, walking on the sidewalk is not a healthy activity, but rather an activity which exposes everyone. The population must remain at home. Our curve has followed the best possible scenario and our measures have had an effect, but it’s not the time to go to the street,” he said.