Coronavirus

Higher-income areas have lower social isolation rates

Higher-income areas have lower social isolation rates
Photo: Nelson Antoine/Shutterstock

According to data used by the São Paulo state government, higher-income neighborhoods in the capital state are the ones with the lowest rates of compliance with social isolation guidelines. Vila Nova Conceição and Alto da Boa Vista have registered a compliance rate of merely 33 and 37 percent, respectively. In contrast, the low-income regions of Marsilac and Parelheiros have boasted the highest rates — 79 and 70 percent, respectively.

Wealthier areas concentrate high numbers of workers in security and public cleaning — deemed “essential” services by authorities. Earlier this week, Governor João Doria has said that, unless the state’s social isolation rates are over 50 percent, he could postpone the plan to gradually reopen the economy from May 11 onwards.