Despite coronavirus restrictions, thousands of Brazilians have invaded beaches

Authorities in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro begged people to stay home, but thousands of Brazilians flocked to coastal towns and ignored recommendations during the first weekend of the 10-day period. decreed to contain the increase in Covid-19 infections in the countryside.

Some residents took advantage of the holidays, despite warnings from the authorities. Brazil’s two largest cities, Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, have imposed significant restrictions on non-essential activities. State officials brought the holidays forward to create a 10-day rest period, which began on Friday.

Numerous scenes in Brazilian cities show the difficulty authorities are having in obtaining the cooperation of the population to contain the spread of the virus.

In São Sebastiao, a city of more than 80,000 residents on the São Paulo coast, tourists have broken down barriers to beach access to avoid crowds, according to local reports. The city is among those which have suffered an invasion of tourists who have taken advantage of the holidays decreed by the state government.

“Do not come to the coast. We depend on tourism, but for the moment we depend on health. We must avoid an even bigger collapse,” said Mayor Felipe Augusto, irritated by the acts of vandalism.

In Ubatuba, another of the main cities on the coast of Sao Paulo, residents burned tires on a road in an attempt to prevent the arrival of visitors.

The activity restrictions implemented last year were timid and sabotaged by President Jair Bolsonaro, who tried to avoid economic ruin. He is still not convinced of the need for drastic measures, fearing that damage to the economy will lead to further unemployment and social chaos.

Brazil currently accounts for a quarter of daily Covid-19 deaths globally, far more than any other country, and health experts warn the country is on the brink of even greater calamity. The seven-day national average of 2,500 deaths will reach 3,000 in a matter of weeks, specialists told The Associated Press.

The healthcare system is already collapsing, with almost every state’s intensive care unit at or near full capacity. As of Sunday, 92.6% of intensive care unit beds were occupied in Sao Paulo, while the state of Rio de Janeiro had 92%.

Authorities in Rio de Janeiro have closed 19 stores and this Saturday fined 60 bars, restaurants and street vendors for breaking the rules that prohibited their operation. On the city’s beaches, some people ignored the new rules and stayed on the sand.

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