Sao Paulo increases restrictions after virus surge

Brazil's most populous state, Sao Paulo, tightened its coronavirus restrictions on Monday after a recent rise in cases of COVID-19.

Governor of Sao Paulo Joao Doria said the state would go back to the 'yellow phase' of measures due to a "clear increase of the pandemic instability".

In Sao Paulo's yellow phase, shops, bars and restaurants are restricted to operate at 40% of their capacity for 10 hours a day, and closing by 10 pm.

Restrictions were increased again one day after municipal runoff elections across Brazil, campaigns that involved gatherings of voters that experts fear have exacerbated viral spread.

Student Vitoria Moraes agreed with the state government's decision, but criticized how a relaxation of measures had been implemented a few months ago when cases were still high.

"Everything was all right, and now that the election is over, after their campaign and everything, they decided to return to the yellow phase," said Moraes.

Brazil has reported more than 172,000 deaths from COVID-19.