Rio de Janeiro governor authorizes the resumption of bank branches in the state. Coronavirus cases continue to rise in the country.
Last Friday, the 27th, the measure where Governor Wilson Witzel authorized the resumption of bank operations in Rio de Janeiro was published in the State Official Gazette. The measure authorizes bank branches to operate while the public health risk situation continues, caused by the expansion of the new coronavirus pandemic.
According to the governor's determination, bank branches and lottery shops must respect the occupancy limit of 30% of the physical capacity of the establishments. The establishments must reserve at least one hour per day for exclusive service to risk groups.
According to Witzel, the population cannot be left without essential banking services, especially in a time of crisis. “We have retirees and INSS [National Institute of Social Security] beneficiaries who receive their payments at bank branches,” said the governor.
For the Secretary of Economic Development, Energy and International Relations, Lucas Tristão, people who do not have access to digital means of banking operations will benefit.
Furthermore, he added: “Thousands of small businesses, commercial establishments, informal workers and self-employed workers need to move their resources in cash.”
The secretary emphasized that the decree also allows the population to access social benefits, such as the Severance Pay Guarantee Fund (FGTS), unemployment insurance, Bolsa Família and salary bonus.
The number of infected people in the country is growing
According to the latest update from the Ministry of Health on coronavirus, the number of deaths reached 92 this Friday (27). On Thursday there were 77 deaths. The result means an increase of 18% compared to yesterday.
Compared to the beginning of the week, when there were 25 deaths, the number multiplied by 3.68 times. The fatality rate reached its highest point of the week, at 2.7%.
Yesterday, the 27th, the total number of confirmed cases jumped from 2,915 to 3,417. This result represents an increase of 80% in cases compared to the beginning of the week, when 1,891 infected people were confirmed.