Beach stalls close as Rio tightens COVID measures

Businesses on Rio de Janeiro's iconic Copacabana beach were closed on Friday as stricter coronavirus restrictions were imposed in the city. Measures have been tightened on the hospitality sector as Rio, like many other states across Brazil, deals with a rise in COVID-19 cases.

Bars and restaurants will be allowed to open until 8pm, after which they can only offer takeout services. A curfew banning people from gathering in public places will run from 11pm to 5am. City authorities will allow beaches and parks to remain open but with restrictions on sports, and vendors forced to close.

André Luis Silva, who's been working on the Copacobana for more than a decade, agrees with the new restrictions but also called for better financial support from authorities. "Since it there is a lockdown, they had to at least give us a solution, some money, something, because many people will be in need, I have to say this, unfortunately," he said.

A joint task force of Municipal Guard officers and public order inspectors were seen enforcing the new measures near the Copacobana following the 8pm cutoff. Rio's mayor Eduardo Paes has said the limit on activities will initially be in place for one week, then evaluated to see whether any additional measures are needed to slow infection rates.