Brazil: Private schools reopen in some cities amid pandemic

The first large cities in Brazil on Monday resumed in-person classes at private schools after they closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, while public schools remain closed.

The Brazilian cities of Manaus in the Amazon rainforest and Duque de Caxias in Rio de Janeiro's metropolitan region have invited students back while observing measures to minimise the risk to staff and children.

Both cities have been hard hit by the virus. Amazonas state's capital with 2.2 million residents had the sixth-most coronavirus deaths in the country, according to local media G1.

Duque de Caxias is home to 920,000 people and has confirmed the third most deaths in Rio state.

The cities' private schools received authorization to reopen from Amazonas state's governor and Duque de Caxias' mayor, according to the nation's private school federation, FENEP.

Brazilian teachers during the outbreak have resorted to sending kids lessons through social media and phone apps, and even television and radio broadcasts.

Restrictions put in place to contain the virus' spread are being lifted in varying degrees from city to city, marking a disorderly exit from quarantine.

President Jair Bolsonaro has pushed for economies to kick into gear, often over objections from public health experts who argue infection rates remain high.

Many people, likewise, are eager to get back to work.