'It seems like Rio de Janeiro is another country,' says Bolsonaro about Witzel's decree.
According to Jair Bolsonaro, Witzel took "exaggerated" measures that were not within the governor's purview.
Sputnik - President Jair Bolsonaro criticized the decree issued by the governor of Rio de Janeiro, Wilson Witzel, to combat the spread of the coronavirus.
The governor of Rio has ordered the suspension of air, land, and water travel originating from locations with... coronavirus circulation or in an emergency situation. The decree still depends on confirmation from regulatory agencies such as the National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC).
For president Jair BolsonaroWitzel allegedly took "exaggerated" measures that were not within the governor's purview.
"They are taking measures that, in my opinion, are excessive. They closed the Rio de Janeiro airport. That's not within their jurisdiction, my God! ANAC is available, it's an autonomous agency that is open to everyone, for discussions. Yesterday I saw a decree from the governor of Rio that, I confess, worried me. It seems like Rio de Janeiro is another country. It's not another country. You have a federation," Bolsonaro told reporters.
The president also stated that the measures to combat COVID-19 They should be balanced and not cause panic.
"There are certain governors, and I have to criticize them again, who are taking extreme measures that are not within their jurisdiction: closing airports, closing highways... It's not within their jurisdiction. Closing shopping malls, etc., they're about to close the Northeasterners' fair [São Cristóvão Fair] in Rio de Janeiro. If commerce stops, people have nothing to eat," he added.