Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro calls Sao Paulo Governor lunatic for lockdown
BRASILIA: Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro called the Governor of Sao Paulo “lunatic” for imposing a 15-day lockdown in the country’s most populous state in an attempt to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus.
In an interview with CNN Brazil, Bolsonaro on Saturday criticized steps taken by Joao Doria and some other regional Governors, to deal with the pandemic, such as quarantine and shutting airports, reports Efe news.
“To tell the truth, this is a lunatic. He’s taking advantage of the situation to do politics. He is taking the opportunity to grow politically,” the President said when asked about the emergency measures in Sao Paolo.
Earlier on Saturday, Doria had announced a 15-day state-wide quarantine starting Tuesday, after the Health Ministry reported that coronavirus related deaths increased by 63.6 percent in a day, with Sao Paolo accounting for 15 of the 18 fatalities recorded.
“I want to say as governor of the state of Sao Paulo, that as of Tuesday, March 24, we decree quarantine to the 645 municipalities of the state of Sao Paulo, with the obligation to close all non-essential trade and services,” Doria had announced. (IANS)