Brazil - The Rio Sambodromo becomes a refuge for the homeless

The Sambodromeo of Rio de Janeiro, the main scenario of the mythical Carioca Carnival, will welcome the homeless of the Brazilian city starting today, to protect them wherever possible from the coronavirus epidemic. This was announced by the mayor of Rio, Marcelo Crivella.
"The preparatory work was completed on Sunday and starting on Monday we will begin welcoming people who live on the street, many of whom are concentrated in the city center," said Crivella, presenting the news to the media.
With 17 deaths and over 600 confirmed cases of coronavirus, Rio is the second Brazilian city most affected by the epidemic, after Sao Paulo and both the mayor Crivella and the governor of the homonymous state, Wilson Witzel, have launched measures to slow down economic activities and social isolation.
Both Crivella, an evangelical pastor, like Witzel - of the Christian Social Party (PSC, center-right) - were until recently political allies of Bolsonaro, but they distanced themselves from the president because of his controversies taken regarding the closure of economic activities and social isolation measures. Witzel himself announced on Monday the extension for another 15 days of the measures of social isolation, recommending to his fellow citizens: "You were not oriented towards the irresponsible actions of anyone. Stay at home".
The Sambodrome Marqués de Sapucaì, with its 700 meters of path and its parallel grandstands for the public, is the place where the "escolas do samba" parades are held every year, during the city's legendary Carnival. A series of rooms located under the stands of the structure have been transformed into dormitories, with an initial capacity of 400 guests, separated into areas for adult men, women with or without children and the elderly.