In Rio de Janeiro, they again decided to cancel the street carnival due to the spread of the Omicron coronavirus strain in Brazil. This was announced on Wednesday, January 5, by the mayor of the city, Eduardo Paesh.
“Today I met with representatives of the blocks (a group of dancers at the carnival – Ed.) And informed them about the impossibility of holding a street carnival,” Paesh said.
The official noted that the nature of the street carnival does not allow for effective epidemiological control, which is necessary against the background of the spread of the Omicron coronavirus strain in the country.
In addition to Rio de Janeiro, the carnival was canceled in Salvador (Bahia). In Recife and Olinda, many traditional samba groups have warned against marches no matter what the authorities decide.
Earlier in September, the mayor of Rio de Janeiro announced that the fall test carnival on Parque Island in Guanabara Bay was canceled. This decision was made in connection with the spread of the “Delta” strain of the coronavirus.
In 2021, due to the coronavirus pandemic, carnival festivities were canceled throughout Brazil. A year earlier, about 7 million people took part in the festivities in Rio de Janeiro.