58 Brazilian cities cancel Carnival 2022 over Covid fears

Brasilia, Nov 24 (IANS) At least 58 cities in Brazil's states of Sao Paulo and Minas Gerais have decided to cancel Carnival 2022 celebrations over fear of Covid-19 outbreaks, according to media reports.

The famous Brazilian festival was also cancelled in 2021 amid the second wave of the Covid pandemic in the South American country, which currently accounts for the world's second highest number of deaths and the third largest caseload, reports Xinhua news agency.

According to the media reports on Tuesday, four cities in Minas Gerais and 54 in Sao Paulo have decided to cancel the celebrations this year as well, including Franca, Sorocaba, Suzano, Botucatu, Poa and Mogi das Cruzes.

"During Carnival, people from all over the country will be coming and going. We cannot take any more risks after everything we have suffered due to the pandemic," Mayor of Franca Alexandre Ferreira told reporters.

Additionally, several cities are facing a financial crisis, including Poa and Sorocaba, which cancelled their subsidies for Carnival 2022.

The city of Sao Paulo will move forward with its official parade at the Sambadrome and its street parties, for which 867 neighbourhood groups have registered.

Rio de Janeiro, the Brazilian city most famed for its Carnival celebrations, has also confirmed plans to proceed with this year's events.