Cities forbid even entering a wake without vaccine in the interior of SP

Cities in the interior of São Paulo decided to anticipate the state government in the announcement of preventive decrees in the face of the advance of cases of the omicron variant of the coronavirus and of Influenza. In a municipality, even at a wake, the entry of people without proof of vaccination may be vetoed.

After the increase in cases at the beginning of the year, at least 11 prefectures announced restrictive measures on circulation. Among them are the ban on concerts and the rental of leisure areas and the limitation of hours and number of people in bars, restaurants and religious temples.

Inspections must be carried out by health surveillance and municipal guards. Penalties include fines of up to R$7,475.

So far, decrees with rules to combat agglomerations have been published in the cities of Batatais, Orlândia, Guaíra, Bocaina, Queiroz, Lins, Tupã, Arandu, Amparo, Bragança Paulista and Limeira.

With an election year in sight, larger cities such as Ribeirão Preto, Franca, Bauru, Presidente Prudente, São José dos Campos, São José do Rio Preto, Jundiaí and Araçatuba are still betting on the light picture of the vaccinated.

In these places, city halls have reinforced vaccination schedules against Covid-19. In Presidente Prudente, in addition to the “vaccinamóvel”, the municipality promoted the so-called “Vaccina Fest”, an event last Saturday (8) in which 1,789 doses were applied.

The structures and hours of care for those with respiratory symptoms are also expanded, including teleservice (or telemedicine) for triage, now available in Bauru and Rio Preto.

Smaller municipalities have a more limited hospital network to deal with high demand, and stopping transmission has been a more effective option.

Still, even mid-sized cities are already beginning to feel the effects of the omni. A new approach is beginning to emerge as an urgent measure and even as a concern of the population itself.

The Prefecture of Guaíra suspended small or large public events until January 31 and established new operating rules for religious establishments and wakes (maximum capacity of 40% and periodic disinfection will be mandatory). In wakes, the entry and stay of unvaccinated people from risk groups is prohibited.

​In Limeira, the municipal decree prohibits holding events in the city with the public standing.

The rule, which applies to sports and cultural practices as well as leisure or religious meetings, is valid until January 31 and limits the maximum capacity of spaces to seating.

The measure was taken based on an opinion from a technical group and seeks to stop agglomerations and the spread of respiratory syndrome viruses. Control of social distance, use of masks and temperature measurement by those responsible are being charged in all cities with new health decrees.

In Bragança Paulista, activities with “service of people standing” in restaurants, shows and presentations are suspended.

It was also prohibited the free lease or transfer of farms, houses and spaces for holding parties and events, “including those of a family nature”, and all “public and private carnival activities.”

Bocaina suspended concerts, live music and parties with the sale of invitations. Surveillance returned to inspect and require the use of a mask in open or closed places with more than a hundred people in Tupã. In Lins, meetings with this amount of people need to be communicated beforehand to the Municipal Sanitary Surveillance.

Amparo also reduced public service hours to 10 pm, with a tolerance of 60 minutes for customers who are still in the place, and prohibited agglomerations – non-compliance can result in a fine of R$ 1,500 to R$ 3,000.

Orlândia canceled parties and cultural events in public or private spaces until January 21.

Batatais banned gatherings until the 16th of this month. Fines of R$ 500 were established for those who walk without a mask and R$ 2,500 for those with Covid-19 and who do not comply with social isolation, among other penalties.

Restaurants and bars in Queiroz can serve 50% of the public capacity until 11pm and then only for delivery. Temples can open until 10 pm, but with services lasting a maximum of 90 minutes and with up to two services per week.

In Arandu, the operating limit until 10 pm for bars, restaurants and shops also occurs until January 17.

The city also prohibited the entry of street vendors from other locations during this period. Fines ranging from BRL 580 to BRL 7,475 are foreseen for people and establishments that fail to comply with the rule and even suspension of licenses.

Mayors away

Five mayors in the interior announced until Monday (10) that they had received a positive test for Covid-19. Their agendas are suspended until the quarantine is fulfilled: Edinho Silva (PT – Araraquara), Juninho Gaspar (PP – Batatais), Fernando Cunha (PSD – Olímpia), Rômulo Rippa (PSD – Porto Ferreira) and Katiuscia Leonardo (PSD – Cristais Paulistas).

Cunha detected it in a routine exam, as he was asymptomatic and will wait for the end of the transmission period to return. Same case of Edinho Silva, who would take the third dose this week. The Araraquara contingency included maintenance of home staff to maintain those who were not hospitalized with symptoms and the reopening of Hospital de Campanha.

In a video released last week with this information, the mayor also said that the “tougher” measures of social restriction requested by internet users were not necessary, but would be considered if there was a scientific and medical opinion to do so.

Rippa, in turn, reported that he took two doses of the vaccine and has mild symptoms – in a note, he attributed “the non-aggravation of the disease” to the immunization.

Gaspar had already taken the third dose and declared that he had a little cough, but that he is fine and will continue working from home. The same happens with Katiuscia Leonardo. The mayor’s husband and two children are also infected with Covid-19 and the concern now is for children who, because they are under 12, have not yet been immunized.