Sao Paulo - Brazil was set to pass 1.5
million confirmed coronavirus cases on Friday, as the virus
continues to ravage Latin America's largest country even as
cities reopen bars, restaurants and gyms sparking fears
infections will keep rising.
Brazil has the world's second largest outbreak after the
United States and the virus has killed over 60,000 people in the
country.
In Rio de Janeiro, crowds gathered to drink on the sidewalk
of an upscale beach-side neighborhood on Thursday night, the
first evening bars in the city were allowed to reopen.
Pictures of the revelry in Leblon, where few were wearing
face masks and people were huddled close together, went viral on
social media drawing condemnation and concern.
"A tragedy foretold," David Miranda, a federal congressman
for Rio, wrote on Twitter above a picture of the crowded
sidewalk. He criticized the city's mayor Marcelo Crivella.
"Crivella's decision to throw open the doors of business
will come with a high cost," he added.
Crivella's office did not immediately respond to a request
for comment.
In Rio alone, more than 6,600 people have died of Covid-19
in the past four months. Only 14 countries in the world have a
death toll higher than the city. Intensive care units in public
hospitals are at 70% capacity.
Sao Paulo, Brazil's largest and worst hit city, is expected
to open bars and restaurants next week.
President Jair Bolsonaro has been widely criticized by
health experts for downplaying the severity of the virus which
he has dismissed as just "a little flu." Bolsonaro has pressured
governors and mayors for months to reverse lockdown measures and
reopen the economy.
On Friday, Bolsonaro vetoed parts of a law that would have
made wearing a face mask obligatory in enclosed spaces where
large groups gather - such as churches and schools.
Bolsonaro has regularly flouted social distancing guidelines
advised by most health experts, shaking hands and embracing
supporters. He has said publicly that his past as an athlete
makes him immune to the worst symptoms of the virus.