Covid-19: Brazil Rio de Janeiro state to relax mask use

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – According to the bill, to be forwarded to governor Cláudio Castro for sanction, it will be up to the health authorities to define the appropriate time for this flexibility. A law requiring mask use has been in force in Rio de Janeiro since last year.

“We are going to relax the rules considering epidemiological and vaccine parameters. We see no risk in making it flexible in open places. We will allow this relaxation only in scenarios considered of low and moderate transmission risk or with 65% of the total or target population (over 12 years old) vaccinated,” said State Health Secretary Alexandre Chieppe.

An amendment to the bill voted on Tuesday suggesting that the relaxation could only occur with at least 80% of the population fully vaccinated was rejected. The bill’s approval divided opinions among deputies.

“We are passing the terrible image of an overall release. To lift it in open places is an invitation not to use the mask in closed places,” deputy Luiz Paulo Corrêa da Rocha said.

Deputy Adriana Baltazar said that many people are no longer wearing masks, given that a large share of the population has been vaccinated. “I don’t see many people wearing masks anymore, and we now have many vaccinated. To say otherwise is hypocrisy,” she said.

With 65% of its population fully vaccinated, the city of Rio de Janeiro was only waiting for ALERJ’s approval in order to publish a decree relaxing mask use.

According to experts, given the city’s current situation, it is possible to relax mask use, albeit with caution. “Yes, we can think about it, but even in open places people should wear masks to protect themselves,” said UFRJ (Federal University of Rio de Janeiro) public health researcher Chrystina Barros.