Brazil: President Bolsonaro calls for borders to reopen amid coronavirus crisis

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro On April 17 reportedly called for reopening of country’s borders and also conceded that he may be blamed if coronavirus outbreak worsens. Brazil, which is South America’s largest ecomy, pushes to restart as lockdown measure has affected ecomy of country. Bolsonaro reportedly said that opening trade is a risk, but he added that if outbreak gets worse, it will fall on his lap. 

Earlier this week, Brazilian President also fired his health minister, Luiz Henrique Mandetta, after disagreements with him over lockdown measures. Mandetta had been encouraging social distancing and supporting goverrs for imposing lockdown, however, Bolsonaro argued that it is overly damaging ecomy. President also discussed possibility of reopening land borders, particularly those with Uruguay and Paraguay, with Justice Minister Sergio Moro. 

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Over 34,000 confirmed cases 

Brazil closed its borders last month to nresident foreigners. country also withdrew all its remaining diplomatic staff from Venezuela. Meanwhile, coronavirus cases continue to rise in country. Currently, Brazil has more than 34,000 confirmed cases and deadly virus has claimed nearly 2,171 lives. 

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Brazilian medical experts reportedly said that outbreak of coronavirus is still far from its peak. Sao Paulo Goverr Joao Doria also extended social isolation order in state through May 10. Meanwhile, a recent study revealed that country likely has 12 times more infections than are being officially reported by government. study estimates that only 8% of total cases are being officially reported in largest South American country, hence, death rate is higher than rmal. 

Coronavirus, which originated in China in December 2019, has w claimed over 154,000 lives worldwide as of April 18. According to tally by an international news ncy, pandemic has w spread to 210 countries and territories and has infected more than 2.2 million people. Out of total infections, more than 574,000 have recovered but easily spread virus is continuing to disrupt many lives. Major cities have been put under lockdown in almost all countries including Spain, and ecomy is struggling. 

(Im source: AP) 

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