Covid-19 is out of control in Brazil. So why are some officials easing restrictive measures?

Last week, Brazil saw its deadliest day since the start of the pandemic, with 4,195 people killed in just 24 hours. The state of Sao Paulo and the city of Rio de Janeiro rank among the worst in the country for Covid-19 deaths. Yet both plan to ease movement restrictions starting on Monday.

Sao Paulo will reopen state schools, sports events, and construction stores. Rio de Janeiro will allow bars and restaurants to operate again, overturning restrictions that have been in place since March. Sao Paulo authorities justify the reopening by pointing out that occupancy rates in intensive care units in the state have fallen from crisis-level 90.5% to 88.6%. "This measure clearly shows that the effort made in recent weeks is beginning to give results," said Vice-Governor Rodrigo Garcia on a press conference on April 9.