The mayor of Rio de Janeiro announced on Twitter this Tuesday the cancellation of the street carnival due to the high number of cases of covid-19, although it will keep the traditional parade of comparsas in the Sambadrome going.
Speaking to the state-run Brazil Agency, the mayor of Rio de Janeiro, Eduardo Paes, justified the measure with the argument that it is impossible to exercise some kind of control in an event of the nature “and the democratic aspect” of the street carnival.
The street carnival takes place, often spontaneously, in various parts of the city.
Paes added that the parade at the Sambadrome is still going on, as well as the dances in closed places.
Rio’s carnival, the most famous in the world, will begin on February 25.
Until now, the control measures for the public during these events have not been detailed. However, according to Agencia Brasil, one of the requirements to be able to enjoy these celebrations will be to be vaccinated. The use of a mask will also be necessary.
In 2021, due to the pandemic, the Rio Carnival was canceled in its entirety.
To date, and according to the Ministry of Health, Brazil has registered more than 22 million infections of covid-19 and more than 619,000 deaths.