City Hall of São Paulo makes use of masks flexible at São Silvestre

Masks are still mandatory in public places in the city of São Paulo. Except for those who are going to run to São Silvestre, on December 31st, or other events of the type in the capital of São Paulo. The most traditional race in Brazil, which returns to the streets of São Paulo after being postponed last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, will require the item only in the arena where participants gather before and after the competition.

In its regulation, the organization determines that the use of a mask is mandatory “during the entire period of stay at the Arena da Prova Presencial, which includes the start and finish areas, including dispersion”. Along the way, however, use is only recommended, as is the carrying of spare masks.

The protection item requirement is in effect both in the state of São Paulo and in its capital. The actions of Governor João Doria (PSDB) and Mayor Ricardo Nunes (MDB) even announced a relaxation, which would go into effect on the 11th, but the emergence of the omicron variant, first sequenced in South Africa, postponed the plans.

The new strain of coronavirus is spreading with unprecedented speed, the World Health Organization (WHO) said, and studies indicate it may cause more reinfection than the delta variant. With the first case identified in São Paulo on December 1st, the city hall already treats the transmission of the variant as a community in the capital.

Even with the requirement in force, in the events in São Paulo the protocol adopted has been the same as announced for São Silvestre, with the mask being mandatory only in the arena, at the start and at the finish – the measure is also adopted in outdoor races from the country.

Questioned by leaf on how flexibilization during the course fits into this scenario, the city of São Paulo limited itself to sending the regulation of the race. The organization, in turn, highlighted through its press office that the protocol was developed with the City of São Paulo, which supports the race.

He also pointed out that the rule also applies to the elite squad, who usually start without a mask, as well as informing that the inspection will be carried out by the event’s team. If the rule is not respected, the participant will have to leave the arena — if this occurs before the start, the athlete will not be able to participate in the race.

For infectologist Raquel Stucchi, from Unicamp (State University of Campinas), despite the fact that omicron has changed the perspective that was had on the flexibility of measures such as the use of a mask, the orientation is correct.

“During the race, the risk of potential transmission running doesn’t make sense, no one will talk,” he points out. “Even if you have a platoon of people closest to you in the beginning, you don’t have as much risk of transmission as long as you don’t talk.”

Stucchi reinforces, however, the need for use both in the arena, where it is more difficult to keep the distance, even outdoors, as in the displacement to the race and back home. In addition, she emphasizes the recommendation for those who are not going to run all the time.

“There are people who reach a third of the test and start to walk, interact with people who are not their daily lives. These must wear a mask.”

A street runner for about five years, Guilherme Madeira, 46, debuts at São Silvestre in this year’s edition, but he already has many kilometers on his feet, participating in 5 km races up to the 42.195 km marathon.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, he has followed the recommendations of wearing a mask, even during training, and distancing himself, mainly because he lives with an elderly woman. In recent weeks, with the return of in-person competitions, he has already participated in two races with the same protocol that will be in force on December 31st and says he felt very safe.

Even so, at São Silvestre he is preparing for an eventual use of the item during the journey, even though he has already taken the booster dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. “If there are a lot of people and I don’t feel comfortable, I’ll put on the mask.”

Madeira recalls that, at the beginning of the pandemic, he thought it was very bad to run with the protection, but insisted on using it on the recommendation of his instructor. Today, he says he is used to it, but he points out that in long-distance races, when it is necessary to remove the mask to drink water and ingest the carbohydrate gel —recommended when the mileage is higher—, it is difficult to do everything running.

The sports doctor Renata Castro warns that those who are going to take the test with a mask should take spare items, since prolonged use during exercise, especially in the heat, probably wets the protection, which reduces its effectiveness.

As for performance, the specialist points out that ventilation is not impacted by being a long-distance race, with less air demanded, as opposed to short-distance races, in which the speed —and the demand for air— is greater. In the case of São Silvestre, he explains, the main discomfort is psychological, according to studies, not a physiological limitation.

In addition to the masks, the organization also requires at least one dose of vaccination, and proof must be presented at the time of removal of the kits. Those with a complete immunization chart will be able to withdraw between the 27th and 30th of December, presenting the printed or digital proof – generated by the application of the federal government ConnectSUS or local administrations, including those from other countries.

Anyone who has only the first dose of the vaccine, in cases of immunization in which it is necessary to apply a second dose, must also present a negative test. If the test performed is of the PCR type, which is valid for 48 hours, the kit can be removed on the 29th and 30th. If it is an antigen, whose expiration date is 24 hours, the removal will only be released on the 30th.

The regulation also determines that whoever is not vaccinated or refuses to present documentation for being against vaccination cannot participate in the race.

Rules of São Silvestre

Use of mask:

• mandatory in the arena, at the start and at the finish
• disrespect for the rule may lead to expulsion from the arena
• recommended on the route

Vaccine:

• required at least one dose
• proof (printed or digital) required for kit removal
• in the case of a single dose (unless the vaccine is a single dose), it is necessary to present a negative test (PCR 48h before; antigen 24h before) also when removing the kit
• if the participant does not present the documents, he/she will not be able to participate in the test.