Rio cancels carnival due to coronavirus

Floats at the Viradouro Samba School in Rio sit idly, their bright colors and fantastical figurines gathering dust in the warehouse where they are stored.

This year, they will not see the light of day, nor participate in the annual competitions that drive the schools to work all year in the hope of capturing a prize for presentation, and bragging rights amongst Carnival aficionados.

"I am going to watch Viradouro parades and enjoy myself at home, not try and predict the future. I will have 10 months of work and fight for the championship, because the school will have a wonderful year and we will take that energy into the future," 36-year-old Marcus Ferreira, who leads the school, says wistfully.

Thousands of carnival workers, and thousands more who feed the affiliated industries that shape the celebration can only look forward to next year, after Rio municipal authorities cancelled this year's party, with a stern warning that no clandestine celebrations will be tolerated.

"There won't be Carnival this year, that's hard and sad, but there will be no Carnival. I am telling people who want to attend parties or carnival dances, it's not allowed or legal, don't think it's part of the conversation, because these celebrations will not happen," newly-elected mayor Eduardo Paes said at a municipal meeting to discuss vaccination efforts in the sprawling city.

Police and patrols will be out in force to enforce the restrictions, with fines and even jail possible for violators.

Some have adopted a philosophical approach to the devastating news, acknowledging the emergency measure adopted because of a rampaging virus is a logical outcome under the circumstances.

"Remember, it will be the memories that we can have, what we did last year, it's going to be a Carnival of memories and expectations for the next one," says Dailse Fidelis, who normally would be hard at work putting the finishing touches on costumes for the parade at this time of year.

State Health authorities pledge they will finish a mass immunization program for the 16 million residents by the end of the year, providing a glimmer of hope that they will be able to celebrate the event during next year's Carnival.

Image credit: AP