RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The São Paulo government has decided to maintain the current statewide quarantine until June 30. The rules were to be relaxed from June 14, but the Covid-19 Contingency Center has recommended extending them for another 15 days.
The measures in force allow establishments to open at 40% capacity between 6 AM and 9 PM. Curfew is maintained between 9 PM and 5 AM. State and city parks can open from 6 AM to 9 PM. Remote work for non-essential administrative activities remains mandatory. Moreover, the government determined that all such rules should apply to the entire state rather than separate regions.
“We are experiencing a maintenance of cases, a low-rate increase of ICU admissions. So it was recommended that the transition phase be maintained for another two weeks. The Contingency Center suggested the reduction of business hours in some regions. The government will forward suggestion to the cities with over 90% occupancy so that they may decide,” explained João Gabbardo, executive coordinator of the health committee.
According to data from the state Health Secretariat, over 11,000 people are hospitalized in ICU beds, a record since the beginning of the pandemic. Last week, 2,688 people were hospitalized, an increase of 0.6% over the previous week. The ICU occupancy rate stands at 82% in the state and 79% in Greater São Paulo.
Two weeks ago, Governor João Doria had announced a transition plan that would result in a greater opening of commerce early this month. The plan was to increase capacity to 60% and business operating hours to 10 PM, but changes have been deferred for a month.
Quarantine rules in force until June 30
Curfew: 9 PM to 5 AM;
Commerce, shopping malls, restaurants, salons, and gyms; bars (in restaurant mode); cultural activities (museums, galleries, and the like): allowed to open from 6 AM to 9 PM, at 40% capacity; parks may open from 6 AM to 9 PM;
Remote work for administrative services is mandatory;
Churches and temples may open, at 40% capacity;
Schools: rules are still under review. For now, they may open at 35% capacity.
Source: Exame