New measures in Brazil to tackle covid-19 ahead of Carnaval

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – São Paulo authorities announced on Wednesday, January 19, new measures to prevent the further spread of covid-19 ahead of the Carnaval as the pandemic continues to advance with record levels in the number of infected people across the country.

According to official data, Brazil registered on Tuesday, January 18, a record 137,103 cases of infection in 24 hours, with 351 deaths, still far from the record of 4,249 deaths recorded on April 9, 2021.

As in the rest of the world, Brazilians have been impacted by the spread of the new omicron variant. Even though this variant generates milder effects, it is more contagious.

The spread of this variant represented a setback in the attempts of the Brazilian authorities to lift sanitary measures, especially before the Carnaval festivities, scheduled for the end of February.

Although both Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo have previously announced that they will cancel the so-called “street Carnaval“, they will maintain the parades in the respective Sambadromes for the time being.

On Wednesday, the São Paulo City Hall announced the sanitary protocol to govern the Anhembi Sambadrome, requiring proof of vaccination and a maximum occupancy rate of 70%.

In addition, both the people parading and spectators will have to wear masks, which is mandatory in the streets of São Paulo.

In addition, prior registration of the members of the Samba Schools, whose number will also be reduced, will be required. In the case of Rio’s Sambadrome, the sanitary protocol decreed by the mayor’s office is still pending.