Federal Supreme Court Overturns Injunction to Open Trade in 18 São Paulo Cities

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – According to the São Paulo government, the injunction was challenged by the State Attorney General’s Office under the allegation that it would spur the spread of Covid-19.

On Wednesday night, December 30th, the Federal Supreme Court (STF) overthrew a São Paulo Court of Appeals (TJ-SP) writ of mandamus allowing commercial businesses to operate at the turn of the year in 18 cities in the Vale do Paraíba region, interior of São Paulo. According to the São Paulo government, the injunction was challenged by the State Attorney General’s Office under the allegation that it would spur the spread of Covid-19.

With the new ruling, these cities must now comply with the restrictions foreseen in the state government’s red phase of the São Paulo Plan, which authorizes only essential services to operate on January 1st, 2nd and 3rd.

The state government’s measure had been challenged by the Syndicate of Hotels, Restaurants, Bars and Similar (SINHORES) of São José dos Campos, arguing that the sector would suffer irreversible losses with the return to the red phase.

The STF decided that the establishments affiliated to the owners association should comply with the guidelines of the São Paulo Plan.

The decision affects the municipalities of São José dos Campos, Taubaté, Jacareí, Campos do Jordão, Tremembé, Caçapava, Igaratá, Santa Branca, Jambeiro, Paraibuna, Natividade da Serra, Redenção da Serra, São Luiz do Paraitinga, Monteiro Lobato, Santo Antônio do Pinhal, São Bento do Sapucaí, Guararema and Santa Isabel.