Brazil beaches, pubs packed as virus cases climb

Brazilians packed beaches and bars this weekend, taking advantage of a long holiday weekend to indulge in normal life, even as infection numbers continue to climb in the country.

Authorities in Rio De Janeiro and São Paulo have recently eased restrictions, opening beaches and allowing for restaurants and bars to offer reduced service, bowing to public pressure to allow some form of normal life to return after months of pandemic driven shutdown of services.

São Paulo's Governor João Doria warned the emergency is not over however, appealing to young people, who he says are driving infection numbers up, to be responsible and abide by social distancing rules and mask wearing.

Tens of thousands of Rio and São Paulo residents swarmed nearby beaches under sunny skies and mild temperatures, packing the sand and water in scenes not seen since the pandemic struck March.

Many said they remain wary of the danger of contagion, but after months of isolation and restrictions, have grown weary of life under quarantine and needed a welcome break.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has encouraged citizens to ignore restrictions and live their lives normally, even though the country has the second highest numbers of infected people in the world, with 3.9 million infected to date and 121,000 deaths, according to the Brazilian Health Ministry.