RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Despite the decree issued by President Jair Bolsonaro on Monday, May 11th, in an extra edition of the Federal Gazette that included gyms, hairdressers, barbershops and beauty salons as “essential” services during the coronavirus pandemic, Rio de Janeiro will not release these activities for the time being.
The state government said it will not comply with the President’s decree, basing its position on the Federal Supreme Court (STF) decision leaving it up to states and municipalities to determine what measures to implement in order to prevent the spread of Covid-19, taking into account local circumstances. Thus, all existing restrictive measures will remain in effect until May 31st, as provided in Governor Wilson Witzel’s decree.
The closure of public and private schools, day care centers and higher education institutions, cinemas, theaters and the like, and the suspension of sports, cultural events, concerts, scientific exhibitions, among others, either in an open or closed location are maintained. Gyms, leisure and sports centers and malls should also remain closed, as well as a ban on beaches, lagoons, rivers, public pools and clubs.
The Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz) and the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) have recommended that the state decree total isolation, known as lockdown. The measure is under consideration by the government.
Rio de Janeiro’s city hall said it would notify the media and the population should it take any steps to authorize other types of establishments to operate. “The measures taken by Rio’s city government have been adopted together with the scientific community, based on the study of the disease’s spread curve, with a focus on preventing contagion and concern for people’s lives”.
Source: Agência Brasil