Social media account exposes “illegal” New Year’s parties around Brazil

Despite tightened social isolation measures due to a recent uptick in Covid-19 cases around Brazil, the end-of-year period was marked by not-so-clandestine public gatherings in some of the country’s hottest tourist spots. In response to the flagrant breaches of social distancing rules over the New Year, the Instagram account @brasilfedecovid (“Brazil stinks of Covid”) and Brazil Covidfest on Twitter set about exposing pictures and videos of illegal gatherings around the country. As is customary in Brazil, the majority of New Year’s Eve celebrations took place in coastal regions, with beach resorts from north to south making up the lion’s share of social media posts denouncing illegal gatherings.

The footage shows closed events at expensive beach resorts in which no revelers appear to be adhering to distancing regulations or wearing facemasks.

As data collection is usually subpar during weekends and holidays, there is an expectation that Brazil will see significant increases in Covid-19 cases and deaths as people return from their vacations.

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