Wearing masks in public now mandatory in Rio

Face masks are mandatory for anyone out on the streets or attending open establishments in the city of s Rio de Janeiro, as of today (Apr. 23). Those not wearing the accessory may be prevented from using public transport or enter shared spaces during the coronavirus pandemic, and even fined. Masks must also be worn on beaches, in lake areas and at public squares.

To raise people’s awareness, the city has put masks made of nonwoven fabric on over 40 statues paying tribute to famous personages.

In a bid to raise people’s awareness, masks made of nonwoven fabric have been put on over 40 statues across the city.

Each of the statue will be given a sign that should read, “If you’re outside, wear a mask. It’s mandatory.”

Gutemberg Fonseca, head of the Crisis Cabinet against COVID-19 and municipal secretary for Public Order, stressed the role of the initiative, further reporting that the city will distribute a biodegradable mask, made of cellulose and with a more efficient design at several locations to prevent contamination. “It’s recycled, and you wear it one day and then throw it away,” he said.

Health agents

The city also announced that over 5 thousand professionals are to be hired as part of the measures to tackle the pandemic, among whom intensive-care doctors, infectologists, and general practitioners, to work at campaign hospitals in the city and at the Ronaldo Gazolla municipal hospital, the first care unit that became prominent in its treatment of COVID-19.

In another ruling, the city will acquire a thousand ICU bed in private hospitals for COVID-19 patients. The total number of beds in municipal hospitals should add up to approximately a thousand.

The occupancy rate in ICU in Rio de Janeiro, including municipal, state, and federal hospitals, stands at 93 percent.