Official Carnival Parades in Rio and São Paulo Postponed to April

Carnival celebrations in Brazil are facing another setback as the cities of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro jointly announced the postponement of their official Carnival parades. The decision comes in response to the escalating spread of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus. This follows the recent cancellation of informal street parades in both cities.

The parades, initially scheduled between February 25 and March 5, will now be rescheduled to take place in April. While the exact dates were not specified in the official statement, RioCarnaval.org is indicating new dates from April 20 through April 30 in Rio.

The decision to postpone the Carnival parades aligns with efforts to curb the surge in Covid-19 cases linked to the Omicron variant. Both cities have witnessed a substantial increase in infections, prompting health authorities to take preventive measures.

In São Paulo, the Liga SP, responsible for organizing the Carnival parades, mentioned that the event would occur “during the period of Tiradentes bank holiday (April 21).” Meanwhile, Liesa, the league overseeing the parades in Rio, stated that the local festivities would take place on April 22, 23, and 30.

The move to postpone the Carnival parades follows the cancellation of street carnival parties in early January. These street celebrations, known as “blocos,” typically involve looser events in public spaces and are organized by groups called “blocos.” In contrast, the official Carnival parades in Rio and São Paulo are held in designated structures known as “Sambadromes.”

The decision to reschedule the iconic Carnival events underscores the challenges posed by the Omicron variant, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing public health and safety. The health departments of both cities provided alarming statistics, revealing a significant surge in Covid-19 cases.

During the last two weeks of 2021, São Paulo observed a surge in confirmed cases from 9,476 to 18,513, while Rio de Janeiro experienced an increase from 1,113 to 9,752 cases within one week. The trend continued into the first week of 2022, with cases skyrocketing to 40,979 in São Paulo and 50,857 in Rio de Janeiro.

The decision to postpone the Carnival parades reflects the responsible approach taken by health authorities to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on large-scale public events. The new dates in April offer a glimmer of hope for a safer and more controlled celebration, prioritizing the well-being of residents and visitors alike.

Carnival, deeply rooted in Brazilian culture, holds significant cultural and economic importance. The decision to reschedule, while disappointing for enthusiasts, underscores the resilience and adaptability of these iconic festivities in the face of unprecedented challenges posed by the global health crisis.