Snow Forecast Fills Hotels in Santa Catarina State

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – With the chance of snowing in Santa Catarina, there are no more vacancies in hotels and inns in the states mountain area, as they are limited to 50 percent occupancy due to the pandemic. The State Department of Tourism (SANTUR) and the city halls urges tourists to stay at home and only visit the region if they have a guaranteed place to stay. Many tourist points are closed to prevent crowds.

The authorities are also concerned about the risks of road accidents. The State Highway Police (PMR) said it has five tons of salt available at police stations in the municipalities of Painel and Bom Jardim da Serra to melt the ice that accumulates on the road. Last year two tons were used throughout the winter.

Furthermore, the São Joaquim city hall bought 1.2 tons of salt for use on the city’s roads and sidewalks, and reserved another 1,250 kilos.

Giovani Nunes, the mayor, reported on Wednesday morning, August 18th, that he bought 2.5 tons of salt, but corrected the information at around 3 PM.

“If needed, we already have a pre-order of a further 50 bags, which can reach 2.5 tons, according to the event. The pre-purchase has already been done, but we have purchased and have in stock now 50 bags of 25 kilos each,” he said.

“Our concern is mainly with the adventurous, who come to the mountains with no place to stay and are eventually left outdoors or looking for the best scenery, the best picture; there is great risk when roads freeze,” said the mayor of São Joaquim.

The city is one of the most sought after in the region, he said, because in São Joaquim it snows in the center of town, while in other cities the phenomenon is more common at remote high altitudes.

In addition to its use by towns, salt is used by the PMR in sections of the highway that typically collect ice, such as the Serra do Rio do Rastro; usually these places have road signs.

Inspection will be reinforced in tourist points of mountain cities, many of them already closed, to prevent crowds.

“Tourists will always be very welcome in the mountains. The message is for people to stay home. We want tourists, but not at this time of pandemic, of hardship. Those who have made reservations should follow the guidelines, such as the mandatory wearing of masks,” said the mayor.

Mané Ferrari, SANTUR’s president, said all of the region’s hotels are filled with up to 50 percent capacity because of the pandemic. In São Joaquim, a decree establishes a limit of 40 percent.

“We know that snow is a great attraction, but with regard to Covid we have to take every precaution. Tourists should now wait a little longer so that we can have safer tourism in the future,” he said.

There is also care for street dwellers in the region. In São Joaquim, they were temporarily housed in hotels because of the extreme cold. Donations of warm clothes and blankets are also being made to needy families, according to the city’s manager.

Driver members of the São Joaquim Jeep Club association should also help city officials reach homes that need help, in case of heavy snow.

Apple producers have also removed the cover from their orchards to ensure that the structure does not collapse with the weight of snow, should it build up.

Source: G1

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