RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – São Paulo Governor João Doria on Wednesday, December 1, recommended that mayors in his state suspend the traditional New Year’s Eve parties.
With the emergence of the Omicron variant and the fourth wave of Covid-19 in Europe, at least 14 state capitals in Brazil have already called off public events for the year-end.
“We are taking a cautious and zealous approach to protect lives. It is not the time to have New Year’s Eve parties,” Doria said while on an official trip to New York to meet with investors organized by InvestSP. “Although it is a decision for the municipalities, I don’t think it is the right time,” he added.
São Paulo Mayor Ricardo Nunes is also in New York, but has so far maintained the traditional New Year’s Eve party planned at Paulista Avenue. “Mayors may take tougher measures than the state government, but never lighter,” Doria said.
“I believe mayors are on the same page, which is to protect lives. Safeguarding people’s lives is more important than the holiday celebration,” Doria added. He also said that he has asked the São Paulo Executive’s Scientific Committee for new studies to define the direction of flexibilization in the state, in light of three confirmed cases of Omicron in São Paulo.
“We must also be very careful with respect to Carnaval, mayors must reassess the situation. Life is more important than partying,” Doria said. At least 70 cities in São Paulo have canceled their 2022 Carnaval celebrations.
On Wednesday, Doria visited investors alongside Finance Secretary Henrique Meirelles, Economic Development Secretary Patricia Ellen, InvestSP President Gustavo Junqueira, and Ricardo Nunes. Representatives from Bank of America, Bloomberg, Goldman Sachs, and Cornell Tech are on the visit agenda.