While Covid-19 Rages On, Brazilians Abandon Quarantine

Coronavirus cases continue to expand, and circulation of people grows between 30% and 93% in the country

Despite the accelerated growth of Covid-19 cases—there are more than a thousand new deaths registered daily—Brazilians are leaving the quarantine behind. In all states, circulation of people increased by 30% between March and July, according to data obtained by Google.

In Amazonas, the movement reached 93% in four months: from a 45% drop in workplaces in March to a reduction of only 3% last week - that is, it is now practically the same as the previous period before the pandemic.

Rio de Janeiro. Foto: Dikran Junior/AGIF - Dikran Junior/AGIF

The increase in circulation occurs when Amapá is the only state with a slowed pace of contagion, the Folha's Covid-19 Acceleration Monitor in Brazil indicated on Friday (24).

Experts affirm that increased circulation can prolong the high numbers of new cases and deaths.

In addition to Amazonas, Maranhão, Pará, Tocantins, and Mato Grosso do Sul measured workplace movement close to levels before the pandemic.

According to these experts, one of the country's problems, in addition to the vast regional and local inequalities, was the lack of central leadership to send a message on how to deal with the new coronavirus pandemic.

President Jair Bolsonaro (without a party) has minimized the danger of the virus since March. He said that economic activity should be a priority.

Leaving the quarantine while Covid-19 is still expanding is different from what was done in the most affected countries in Europe, such as Italy and Spain.

Translated by Kiratiana Freelon

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