Sao Paulo to close bars, restaurants, shops at night, weekends

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The Brazilian state of Sao Paulo, the epicentre of the Covid-19 pandemic, announced a return to the strictest phase of quarantine starting on Monday, with the closure of bars, restaurants and non-essential businesses during nights and weekends due to the increase in cases.</p>
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Addressing a press conference on Friday, Governor of Sao Paulo Joao Doria said that these measures, which will be in force until February 7, are taken to avoid a collapse in the hospital system of the richest and most populated state, reports Xinhua news agency.<br />
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"We are falling victim to a second wave of coronavirus in Sao Paulo and Brazil. The speed of the increase in cases, hospitalizations and deaths is concerning.<br />
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"Before all Brazilians are vaccinated we must face the pandemic with these types of measures," he said.<br />
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For two weeks starting on Monday, only supermarkets, gas stations and pharmacies will be allowed to operate after 8 p.m. and on weekends and holidays.<br />
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According to the weekly epidemiological data published on Friday, the state average per 100,000 inhabitants rose from 287.9 to 348.6 new Covid-19 cases, while the rate of new hospitalizations increased from 49.3 to 54.1, and deaths rose from 5.8 to 7.1.<br />
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So far, Sao Paulo has reported 1,670,754 Covid-19 cases and 50,938 deaths,<br />
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As of Saturday morning, Brazil's overall coronavirus caseload and death toll stood at 8,753,920 and 215,243, respectively.<br />
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<em>(IANS) </em></p>
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