Health Minister Stresses Social Isolation, But Bolsonaro Strolls Around Markets

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – One day after Health Minister Luiz Henrique Mandetta said people should remain at home in social isolation to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, President Jair Bolsonaro drove from his official residence at the Alvorada Palace on Sunday morning, March 29th, to stroll around Brasília.

He visited a drugstore and a bakery in the Southwest district of Brasília, then the Armed Forces Hospital and the center of Ceilândia, one of the administrative regions of the Federal District.

In the streets, the President’s presence prompted small crowds, contrary to the recommendations of the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO).

In the Southwest, he heard the cries “Open business, President”. A woman called for isolation. “Isolation for us, hey? Without isolation, we won’t make it.” Others wished him good luck. “President, may God enlighten you.”

From the Southwest, Bolsonaro headed to the Armed Forces Hospital. On his way out, he approached people and took pictures, joining his face to those of supporters waiting outside.

“I also stopped by to check on the flow of people coming,” said Bolsonaro upon returning from the walkabout, regarding his visit to the hospital. He refused to answer when asked if he had been tested. “What a question, my God in heaven. Another question,” he said.

After that, he headed to downtown Ceilândia, where a larger crowd gathered. Some of the people were apparently over 60, the most vulnerable group to infection from the novel coronavirus.

The president stopped to talk to a street vendor who sells barbecue kebabs. The video recording of the conversation was posted on one of the President’s social media pages.

A decree issued by Federal District Governor Ibaneis Rocha on March 19th, ordered the closure of stores, bars, restaurants and the ban on services and masses in the Federal District due to the coronavirus. Schools are also suspended. According to the decree, medical clinics, laboratories, drugstores, gas stations, markets, building material stores and bakeries may remain in operation.

Under the argument that the reactions to the crisis are driven by “hysteria” and “panic,” Bolsonaro has been advocating the reopening of commerce and schools, although the Ministry of Health has a contrary position. The closure of these establishments is a measure recommended by health specialists as a means to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

On Saturday, March 28th, Bolsonaro held a meeting with Luiz Henrique Mandetta and other Ministers at the Alvorada Palace to discuss measures against the coronavirus crisis. On that same day, a judge in Rio de Janeiro banned the circulation of the campaign “Brazil can’t stop”, recorded on one of the government’s social media pages and the video of which was shared by Bolsonarist legislators.

According to the Secretary of Communication of the Presidency, the video was of an “experimental nature” and there is no advertising campaign on the subject.