São Paulo state extends lockdown until May 10

São Paulo Governor João Doria on Friday (17) announced the extension of the lockdown period in the state of São Paulo until May 10. The measure aims to prevent the spread of the coronavirus by decreasing the traffic of people on the streets.

This is the second time the end of lockdown efforts is put off in the state with the highest number of people killed by the virus. The postponement had been previously set on April 22. The measure is to be effective for all of the state’s 645 municipalities.

“We are expending the lockdown to prevent a collapse in both public and private health systems,” Doria declared. During the state lockdown, only essential services are allowed to operate, including logistics, food, health care, and public security.

“We had our first death [linked to the coronavirus] a month ago. Not the number stands at 853. Sadly, cases are on the rise. Nurses at public hospitals are receiving a lot of patients, and some are near their limit,” the governor pointed out.