Covid-19: Police Interrupt Illegal 600-Guest Party on Farm in Santa Catarina State

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The task force that oversees the enforcement of preventive measures against Covid-19 in Xanxerê, in western Santa Catarina, interrupted a party with about 600 guests at a farm on the BR-282 roadside. The event organizer was fined for contempt and will answer to a detailed written report.

According to the head of the task force, Ronaldo Luzzi, the party guests were not wearing masks nor respecting social distancing. The incident occurred late Saturday night, October 24th.

Illegal party

During the afternoon of that day, the State Police (PM) were notified that a party was being held illegally on the farm. Upon their arrival, the police officers saw that a structure had been set up, a tent. They talked to a 31-year-old man who introduced himself as the person in charge.

According to the PM, he said he was organizing an event on the farm, which would be held in the evening. The PM advised the man on the procedures that should be followed, related to the prevention of Covid-19 and the required public authority authorizations. An occurrence report was issued and the person responsible was released.

However, the PM received denunciations during the night that the party was taking place. The police officers returned to the farm and found some 600 people there. No one was wearing a mask. In a new conversation with the person in charge, he failed to submit due authorization for the event.

As a result, police officers asked people to leave. According to the PM, there was no resistance from guests, who left the venue. The person in charge was fined in the act, given the fact that he had been advised in the afternoon on the requirements to hold the event. The man will be required to appear at the Xanxerê Court to provide explanations.

Events during pandemic

Ordinance number 710/2020, from the State Health Secretariat, provides the guidelines on the holding of events during the coronavirus pandemic. They may only occur in regions classified as high or moderate risk for the disease on the state government map, and with restriction on public.

According to the most recent update of the risk map, conducted on Thursday, October 22nd, the area covering Xanxerê was classified as high risk. However, in addition to this, other prevention measures must be complied with, such as the wearing of masks, social distancing of 1.5 meters and taking people’s temperatures before entering an event.

Xanxerê reports 2,312 confirmed coronavirus cases, with 32 deaths, according to the state government’s Saturday update. Santa Catarina state counts 244,978 confirmed cases, and 3,024 deaths on the same date.

Source: G1