At least 23 Brazilian capitals decided not to have a New Year’s Eve party this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The survey carried out by CNN confirmed that Campo Grande, Fortaleza, Macapá, Belo Horizonte, Salvador, São Luís, João Pessoa, Palmas, Teresina, Recife, Aracaju, Brasília (DF), Belém, Goiânia, Vitória, Manaus, Porto Alegre, Natal, Curitiba, Cuiabá, São Paulo, Florianópolis and Maceió chose not to hold events to celebrate the turn of 2021 to 2022.
In an interview with CNN this Tuesday (21), the executive secretary of the National Council of Municipal Health Secretariats (Conasems), Mauro Junqueira, said that the decision to cancel the events is correct due to the introduction of the micron variant of the new coronavirus in the country.
“The measure is very right for municipalities that hold large parties to avoid crowding at this time. Based on what will happen at the end of the year festivities, we are evaluating the carnival to make the best decision”, said the secretary. “We know the importance of these events even for the economy of cities, but we have to warn the population that the pandemic is not over and we have to do our part”, he added.
The secretary said that the circulation of the Ômicron variant and the Influenza A (H3N2) virus reinforce the need to use masks in order to reduce the transmission of respiratory diseases.
“It’s too early to take off the masks, even outdoors. The increase in cases of Influenza H3N2 caused by the circulation of people is clear”, he said.
Reference: CNN Brasil
