After a meeting between the heads of the state and municipal executive powers over the weekend, acts of the mayor and governor of Rio de Janeiro were published on March 22 and 24, restricting the movement of people and the operation of various companies from different sectors of the economy.

State Law No. 9,224/21 instituted as new holidays the days 26 and 31 march and April 1 and anticipated for the days 29 and 30 March the holidays of Tiradentes and São Jorge, celebrated on April 21 and 23, respectively.

As a way of maintaining the activities of companies that provide essential services and those that act remotely, the law excludes the application of holidays to these categories, so that the employee must provide his services on a regular basis, nothing being owed to him. In these cases, the original dates of the holidays that were anticipated and the full enjoyment of the day off by the employees are maintained.

Furthermore, the sole paragraph of Article 4 of the law determines that it is up to the State and Municipal Executive Authorities, within their respective competences, to establish the rules and prohibitions of operation during the holiday period. If there is a conflict between state and municipal rules, the one that imposes more restrictive measures should prevail.

In addition to state law, State Decree No. 47,540 provides for measures to combat the spread of Covid-19. The decree allows the operation of companies operating in key sectors, such as the oil industry, engineering activities, among others. It also allows the operation of shopping malls and shopping centers, between 12 h and 20 h, with capacity limit of 40%, being mandatory the use of masks and the supply of alcohol gel.

The fine for non-compliance with the restrictions is R$ 3,705.30 for citizens in Rio de Janeiro and R$ 37,053 for companies.

Prior to the state government's rules, the City Hall of Rio de Janeiro had published Municipal Decree No. 48,644/21, which also institutes measures to combat health attacks, with restriction orders stronger than those instituted by the state government.

As a way to ensure the population's access to essential services, the municipality of Rio allowed the operation of supermarkets and food trade (with on-site consumption fence), essential health services, industries, banking establishments, construction activities, hotels, wholesale trade, supply chain and logistics, vehicle rental services, among others.

Although the state decree allowed the operation of shopping malls and shopping centers with limited hours and capacity, the municipal decree limited the opening to those who perform economic activities considered essential, such as pharmacies, pet shops and veterinarians. Bars and restaurants may also work, but are limited to home delivery systems (delivery) and withdrawal.

The decree of the City of Rio recommends that establishments that carry out activities indoors, in particular supermarkets, should expand the opening hours and consider the alert level 3 (very high risk) for the entire territory of the city, with the application of restrictive measures and corresponding health protocols.

The two decrees prohibit recreational activities that may cause the agglomeration of people.