Covid-19: Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro to lift some restrictive measures by late November

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Health Secretary Soranz confirmed the city’s intention to publish a decree on Monday eliminating the use of masks in open spaces. The ordinance should come into effect the day after publication.

The municipal scientific committee established that the end of the obligation to wear masks outdoors should occur once 65% of the Rio de Janeiro population has completed the two vaccine doses. According to the Secretary, this percentage is expected to be reached on Monday, October 25.

“Rio is in its 9th week with a decrease in the number of cases and hospitalizations, which allows us to proceed with the reopening process. This decree is in line with what we can see in the city: increasingly fewer people use masks”, he said.

Nevertheless, the Secretary pointed out that masks are still recommended in closed places, and he also urged people to avoid crowds. Soranz recalled that the continuity of restrictions in the city of Rio will depend on the health situation. According to him, 83% of the population over 18 in the city has completed the vaccination schedule, but the City Hall plans to administer another 2 million doses until the end of the year.

“The epidemiological scenario is very good in the city, but we cannot, by any means, have a vaccine shortage,” he said.

The City Hall has received enough doses to be administered during this coming week, when 240,000 people should have their second dose, Soranz said.