São Paulo Government Compels Populace to Wear Masks on Streets as of May 7th

SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL – Governor João Doria announced that wearing masks will be mandatory throughout the state of São Paulo as of next Thursday, May 7th. The measure will be effective for people walking on the streets and other public areas. The wearing of masks on public transportation became mandatory on Monday, May 4th.

“The São Paulo state government will issue a decree tomorrow, Tuesday, May 5th, in which the wearing of masks will be mandatory throughout the state of São Paulo, by all citizens who are walking or going anywhere in the state. This measure will take effect on May 7th,” said Doria.

“The regulation on potential penalties for those who fail to comply with this measure will be incumbent on municipal authorities,” the governor said. The municipal administrations will determine the application of penalties, including fines, to those who violate the rule.

São Paulo Mayor Bruno Covas said a regulation will determine inspection in São Paulo’s capital. “Until May 6th, the day before it becomes effective in the state of São Paulo, we will determine in the city of São Paulo whether this inspection will be conducted by the Metropolitan Civil Guard (GCM) or by the local district inspectors, and whether the fine will be imposed on people, or on establishments that allow people in without masks,” he said.

On Monday, May 4th, over 8,500 Covid-19 patients were admitted to Intensive Care Units (ICUs) or wards.

26,000 deaths

According to the governor, “if we hadn’t implemented isolation since March 24th the projected death toll in São Paulo would be more than 26,000.”

On Sunday, May 3rd, the rate of social isolation stood at 59 percent, according to the Intelligent Monitoring System (SIMI-SP). The target needed to reduce contamination is 70 percent.

Deaths

The number of deaths from coronavirus in the state of São Paulo rose to 2,627 on Sunday, according to the State Health Secretariat. In total, there are currently 31,772 confirmed cases of the disease. There were 41 new deaths and 598 new confirmed cases recorded in the last 24 hours in the cities of São Paulo.

The new number of cases represents an increase of 1.92 percent compared to the 31,174 announced on Saturday, May 2nd. The number of deaths increased by 1.6 percent compared to the 2,586 recorded the day before.

According to the Secretariat, the number of youths and adults who died with the novel coronavirus increased 18 times in one month. Among the 2,627 deaths on Sunday, 693 victims were under the age of 60 (26 percent of the total). On April 4th, there were only 37 (14 percent) out of a total of 260 deaths.

However, despite the increase, most deaths are still found among the elderly. Of the 2,627 recorded deaths, 1,034 are of elderly individuals.

Cases advancing outside the capital

Although the capital still accounts for the largest absolute number of deaths, 153 cities out of the state’s 645 municipalities have recorded at least one death from coronavirus. Cases of the disease have already been confirmed in residents from 332 municipalities.

According to the government of São Paulo, the health authorities are concerned with the rapid advance of the disease among the municipalities in the interior. of the state.

Source: G1