Coronavirus

São Paulo to suspend utility bills for low-income families

São Paulo to suspend utility bills for low-income families

The São Paulo state government will suspend water bills for roughly 500,000 low-income families. The decision will be enforced in April, and will be valid for 90 days. Per Governor João Doria, the benefit will reach families currently eligible for existing discounts offered by the state-owned water utility company Sabesp.

The move is similar to what French President Emmanuel Macron announced earlier this week. His administration lifted all utility bills for as long as the Covid-19 emergency lasts in France.

Meanwhile, stocks of Sabesp traded in São Paulo extended their losses, down 9.7 percent at the time of publishing.