São Paulo Governor Says Lockdown May Be Inevitable, Despite Social Distancing Efforts

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The governor of São Paulo, João Doria, said on Wednesday, May 20th, that he and the Mayors of cities in São Paulo’s metropolitan region are striving to avoid the lockdown decree, but that the measure may be inevitable should the novel coronavirus continue to spread in the state.

“I want to clarify once again that Bruno Covas [the mayor of São Paulo], Mayors of the metropolitan region and the governor of the state of São Paulo are doing everything possible to avoid a lockdown,” he said during a press conference at the Bandeirantes Palace, the seat of São Paulo’s government.

“The lockdown protocol is ready – I’ve been saying that for the past two weeks – but if we can avoid it with actions, with measures, and with the people’s solidarity by sheltering, protecting and isolating themselves at home, the better,” Doria said.

“But unless there is solidarity, the rates will grow even more, and people’s lives will be at risk. We will be forced to enforce a lockdown,” he added.

The governor urged people to respect social isolation, a measure adopted to halt the spread of the coronavirus, over the next few days when holidays have been anticipated by the city to encourage people to stay home.

The state government also proposed to the São Paulo Legislative Assembly that the July 9th holiday be brought forward to Monday to this end.

“The most rigid protocol than the current one is the lockdown. But before announcing it, let us hope and trust that people will know to respect the guidance of not traveling, of staying at home and understand the value of protecting their lives and those of their families,” Doria said.

According to data from the state health department, São Paulo records 69,859 confirmed cases of covid-19 and 5,363 deaths as of May 20th.

Source: Reuters