Protests against lockdown in Brazil

Supporters of Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro protested from their cars in the streets of Rio de Janeiro to reject the restrictive measures applied by the local government to reduce the spread of the COVID-19.

Dozens of cars and trucks carrying Brazilian flags drove through the southern area of the city.Demonstrators shouted slogans against Rio State Governor Wilson Witzel, a former ally of Bolsonaro who was infected with the new coronavirus and a month ago imposed measures to slow the spread of the new coronavirus.

Protesters said they wanted less restrictive measures and supported the policy of "vertical isolation," defended by Bolsonaro, where only elderly people or others who are at risk groups remain home.

They also expressed concerns about the economy.

There were also demonstrations in Sao Paulo where its governor João Doria, another former ally of Bolsonaro, has also clashed with the president since the pandemic hit the country.

Sao Paulo, where the first case of the country was registered, was one of the first states to apply restrictive measures.

On Thursday Brazil's President fired his health minister, after a series of disagreements over efforts to contain the new coronavirus, removing him just weeks before experts expect the virus' peak in the South American country.

The new minister, Nelson Teich, was sworn in on Friday after pledging to work not only to save lives from the coronavirus, but also to spare the economy.

Bolsonaro said that he and his minister of justice, Sérgio Moro were in talks to reopen the borders of the Latin American largest country.

As of Saturday Brazil had registered at least 36,599 confirmed cases and more than 2,300 deaths.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough, that clear up in two to three weeks.

For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and could lead to death.

(Image Credit: AP)