Governor João Doria decrees quarantine until April 7 in São Paulo. The state has already registered 15 deaths and 396 infections from the coronavirus.
This Saturday (21) the governor of São Paulo, João Doria announced that starting next Thursday (24), a quarantine will be determined lasting until April 7.
The measure will apply to the 645 municipalities in the state of São Paulo. It requires the closure of businesses, with only essential services such as health and safety being maintained. The measure will be published in the state's Official Gazette.
Numbers growing
In the state of São Paulo, there have been 15 deaths of people infected with coronavirus in the capital. In total, there are 396 confirmed cases and 34 patients hospitalized in ICUs. There are 9,000 suspected cases.
What might continue to work
- Hospitals, clinics, pharmacies and dental clinics;
- Public transport;
- Supermarkets, markets and bakeries;
- Carriers and warehouses;
- Telemarketing companies;
- Pet shops;
- Deliveries;
- Carriers and warehouses;
- Public cleaning;
- Gas stations.
Hospitals, clinics, pharmacies and dental clinics, whether public or private, will operate normally. The others, including taxi services and transportation apps, will continue to operate with the guidance of health professionals.
Restaurants, bars and cafes will have to close next week:
“Starting next Tuesday, April 24, we have decreed a quarantine for the 645 municipalities of the state of São Paulo for 15 days, from March 24 to April 7. This implies the determination, the obligation, of closing all non-essential commerce and services to the population throughout the state of São Paulo for a period of 15 days,” said the governor at a press conference at Palácio dos Bandeirantes.
“This measure may be renewed, extended or removed if necessary, but it is part of the information we have based on the Health Department and the Covid-19 Control Center,” Doria highlighted.
Public Safety
Doria stated that the state and municipal public security services will continue to operate normally. Banks and lottery shops will also remain open. Industries must continue to operate, as they do not provide services to the general public.
“I would also like to clarify that essential services in the areas of public health, food, supplies, security and cleaning must continue to operate,” highlighted the governor.
“The entire public and private security system continues to operate normally. Obviously, in their municipalities, the municipal guards, at the state level: military police, civil police, fire department, prison system, scientific police, all regular operations. And, as you already know, we have already suspended vacations and licenses, so that this essential sector, in this difficult time, continues to operate regularly,” he said.
Bars and restaurants must close and will only be able to serve via delivery. “The activities of bars, restaurants, and similar establishments, as well as the prepared food section of bakeries, will obviously undergo a transformation during this period of coronavirus. The use of delivery is a creative way to continue operating and maintain the jobs of their professionals.”
According to Bruno Covas, mayor of São Paulo, a municipal decree will be published on Tuesday (24) to provide guidance to inspectors on how they should act when inspecting establishments.
Doria also said that he will use the police force, if necessary, to prevent crowds from gathering. “We will adopt police measures to prevent funk parties,” he declared.