Due to new cases of covid-19, Rio cancels Carnival street parties
Rio de Janeiro authorities have decided to cancel the Carnival street parties this year. The decision was taken based on epidemiological data, which indicate a new increase in cases of covid-19 after a period of decline in the numbers. Representatives of several Carnival associations were informed about the cancellation by Mayor Eduardo Paes, during a meeting on Tuesday afternoon (Dec. 4).
"Carnival street parties, as we used to have until 2020, didn’t take place in 2021 and it won't take place in 2022. I speak as a mayor who likes Carnival, as a citizen, but unfortunately we can't do it," said he.
The mayor reported the samba school parades at the sambódromo and dances in closed places are maintained. A control protocol for the public is yet to be detailed. Being up to date with the vaccination will be one of the requirements to be able to have access to these events. The use of a mask will also be necessary.
Some traditional reveler associations in Rio de Janeiro, such as Banda de Ipanema and Bloco da Preta, which draw crowds, had already informed they would not be parading this year. Others were waiting for a position from the government.
In the last years, the street Carnival in Rio de Janeiro has gathered around 450 reveler associations, requiring the service of several public bodies such as the Municipal Guard, the Traffic Engineering Company (CET-Rio), the Municipal Cleaning Company (Conlurb), among others. It also requires a structure, for example, for the provision of chemical toilets.
Increase in cases
According to municipal Health Secretary Daniel Soranz, the increase in covid-19 cases is related to the Omicron variant. "For 17 weeks we had been ing a reduction in covid-19 cases. Suddenly, we started to have an increase in new cases, which indicates the presence of a new variant. Every time we have a new variant arriving, it means that we will have more cases. Fortunately, they are not leading to an increase of serious cases, deaths and hospitalizations. Of course, it’s still too early to come to a conclusion, we are evaluating the situation", said Soranz.
