BRASILIA — Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has accused the media of “fear-mongering” in a speech that downplayed the threat of coronavirus to the country.
In a televised address on Tuesday, he called on mayors and governors to roll back restrictions they have introduced to curb the spread of COVID-19.
His intervention came as the two biggest cities – Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro – went into partial lockdown.
Brazil has reported 2,200 confirmed infections and 46 deaths.
“Our lives have to go on. Jobs must be kept… We must, yes, get back to normal,” Bolsonaro said, in a speech that sparked protests across the country.
The president described restrictions on public transport, social-distancing measures, and closures of businesses and schools as “scorched-earth” policies.
He added that people aged over 60 were at risk, but that most people – including himself – had nothing to fear. (BBC)
