Rio Records Crowded Beaches on First Spring Sunday

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The beaches of Rio de Janeiro have once again recorded a great flow of beachgoers. Restrictive measures imposed by the city and state governments as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic have once again been disregarded.

At around 2:30 PM, when the thermometers registered 33 degrees, crowds were reported on Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, in the city’s South Zone.

Moreover, many people walked on the Copacabana beachfront sidewalk with no protective masks.

The city of Rio de Janeiro has been implementing a Plan for the Resumption of Economic Activities. The phase is currently in progress. At this stage, bathing in the ocean is allowed, but beachgoers are not allowed to remain on the beach.

People are allowed to walk on the boardwalk, but they are required to wear masks. A state government decree also upholds the ban on beach and lake permanence until at least October 6th.

Despite the restrictions, on hot days the use of tents, deckchairs, the sale of alcohol by vendors, the absence of masks, and the practice of beach soccer has been common, even though all of these activities are banned.

Parking on beachfront roads is also not allowed on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. Exceptions apply only to residents, users of specific parking spaces, and tourists staying at hotels in the area. The city council reported having towed 186 vehicles on Saturday.

“The Municipal Police continues patrolling and inspecting health infractions throughout the city, including beaches that count on 81 officers working on the shore on weekends, in addition to the regular staff of 190 officers in the city’s southern and western zones,” the municipality said.

“The officers supervise compliance on the beaches, irregular parking and guide the population about the current flexibilization phase,” it adds.

Source: UOL