Brazil Carnival 2022: Capitals canceling parades and street blocks due to Covid-19

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – So far, Belo Horizonte, Salvador, Curitiba, Campo Grande and Fortaleza have confirmed the cancellation of Carnival events. The city halls of Palmas and Maceió have not yet decided on its holding or cancellation.

Amid the increase of confirmed Covid-19 cases before and after the year-end festivities, major Brazilian cities have decided to cancel the holding of Carnival 2022.

Although the average number of coronavirus deaths continues to drop, a survey by the All for Health Institute (ITpS) showed that the Omicron variant reached almost 70% of positive cases on December 25, found in 8 states.

To date, only São Paulo has confirmed that it will maintain street parades and blocks. Belo Horizonte, Salvador and Fortaleza have canceled.

In Rio, the risk of crowds and works led the Independent League of Samba Schools (LIESA) to postpone technical rehearsals in Sapucaí. Rio de Janeiro mayor Eduardo Paes has also been favorable to a more “controlled” access to Sapucaí.

The association of blocks will meet this Tuesday with Paes to discuss the issue. Yesterday afternoon, Paes said that it is “very difficult” to hold parades in the streets this year, and governor Cláudio Castro said “I don’t believe in block parades if the increase in Covid cases is confirmed.” The decision, however, will only be made at this Tuesday’s meeting.

Artists and blocks are also canceling their February schedules. In São Paulo, 64 street events were cancelled, including Daniela Mercury (Pipoca da Rainha) and Gloria Groove (Bloco das Gloriosas), funk producer Kondzilla (Bloco do Kondzilla) and actor and singer Tiago Abravanel (Bloco do Abrava), according to the capital’s city hall.