Bolsonaro calls Sao Paulo Governor lunatic for lockdown

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Brasilia, March 22 (IANS) 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 to CNN Brazil, Bolsonaro on Satursday 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 per cent 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.

Meanwhile, Bolsonaro also criticized Rio de Janeiro Governor Wilson Witzel for shutting down the city's airport, claiming these measures would only create an environment of fear and could lead to depression and reduce people's immunity.

The President alleged that these state governors were taking advantage of the situation to increase their political capital with an eye on the 2022 presidential elections.

"Those few governors who criticize me all the time say I don't have leadership (to fight the coronavirus). And I say to you, the 2022 election is a long way off," he said.

Bolsonaro underlined that in the face of the economic slowdown brought about by the coronavirus pandemic, his main concern was about the livelihood of people and preventing unemployment from increasing due to "measures taken by these irresponsible governors".

According to the latest official figures, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Brazil grew by 24.78 per cent, from 907 on Friday to 1,128 on Saturday.

Of the total cases, 40.69 per cent (459) was registered in Sao Paulo, Brazil's most populous state, with 46 million inhabitants, 22 per cent of the Brazilian population.

"It's flu for me and, you can be sure, for more than 60 percent of Brazilians it will be nothing. They won't know or feel in case they get infected. I understand that for the elderly and people with diseases actually getting the virus can be serious," Bolsonaro said.

--IANS

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