Witzel renews and adds measures against coronavirus and extends social isolation and restrictions for another 15 days to combat it.
On Monday, the 30th, the renewal and extension of the strict rules for combating the coronavirus was published in the Official Gazette for another 15 days. Governor Wilson Witzel said that the position is based on the guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO).
On social media, he recommended: “This decision is based on the assessment of the WHO and health authorities. Do not challenge the coronavirus. Do not follow thoughtless and out-of-touch attitudes,” said the governor.
The governor's first decree was issued on March 17 and was due to end next Tuesday (31), but it was renewed.
In the new publication the government banned parties and movie sessions, and also recommended the closure of shopping malls and gyms.
Witzel warned the population: “look at what happened in countries where people did not believe in the consequences of this virus”.
“Do not be guided by anyone’s irresponsible actions. Stay home. The people of Rio de Janeiro can be sure that together we will defeat this disease. (…) We can resurrect the economy; we cannot revive the dead,” said the governor.
Another 15 days of isolation
Witzel had already spoken out on Friday (27), about the decree where social distancing would be extended for another 15 days, starting this Monday (30).
Despite the announcement to extend the restrictions, the governor announced that, starting April 4, with the help of Edmar Santos, Secretary of Health, he will begin to reevaluate the established restrictions.
Some measures that had been suspended in the first decree on the 17th were renewed
- Visiting patients diagnosed with Covid-19.
- Classes in public and private education units, including higher education units;
- Marches and rallies;
- Cinema and theater sessions;
- Shows;
- Events in a hall or party house, such as birthdays;
- Fairs;
- Football matches and other sporting events;
- Scientific events;
- Visits to prison units;
Recommendations
- Close gyms;
- Close shopping malls and shopping centers, with the exception of supermarkets, pharmacies and health services. Bars, restaurants and snack bars must reduce their opening hours by 30% and observe capacity restrictions.
- Do not go to the beach, lake, river or public swimming pool;
- Restrict the operation of bars, restaurants and snack bars inside hotels and inns to guests;
- Suspension of flights originating from states and countries with confirmed circulation of coronavirus or a declared state of emergency;
- Suspend the docking of cruise ships originating from states and countries with confirmed circulation of coronavirus infection or that have declared a state of emergency.
Other published measures
Witzel also published other measures on Monday (30) that aim to combat the coronavirus in the state of Rio and ensure the provision of services to the population. Among them are:
- The inclusion of alcohol gel in the basic food basket (Law 8771 of 03/23/2020);
- Rescheduling or canceling airline tickets or travel packages without charging a fee or fine to the consumer (Law 8767 of 03/23/2020);
- Rescheduling or cancellation of party house or buffet rentals at the request of the contractor, with a refund within 90 days (Law 8767 of 03/23/2020);
- The prohibition of interruption of essential services (water supply and sewage treatment, gas and electricity) due to non-payment (Law 8769 of 23/03/2020);
- Authorization by the Executive Branch to requisition hotels, inns, motels and other accommodation establishments for use in quarantines, isolation and non-invasive medical treatments (Law 8770 of 03/23/2020).