RIO DE JANEIRO – Rio de Janeiro’s shopping malls will stay open 24 hours a day through Christmas, authorities announced Friday, hoping to avoid overcrowding amidst a second wave of coronavirus.
The move goes against the recommendations of scientists who are advocating new restrictions in the Brazilian city, given a worrying increase in COVID-19 deaths and infections.
Rio’s mayor Marcelo Crivella said keeping shopping malls open at all hours would ease the Christmas crush.
“With shopping centers open 24 hours a day, the population will not need to rush to them,” Crivella told a press conference. (AFP)
