SAO PAULO, Brazil
In a “normal” year, a Friday like today would be of parties throughout Brazil.
Streets would be full of people celebrating the longest holiday on the country’s annual calendar. Street blocks would liven up cities like Salvador (Bahia), Rio de Janeiro (Rio), Sao Paulo, Recife, Olinda (Pernambuco) and many others.
The Brazilian Carnival is one of the best known events worldwide, but in 2021, in the midst of a severe increase in contamination by COVID-19 in the 213-million-inhabitants nation, festivities were canceled throughout the country.
The financial impact is already being felt and may exceed 8 billion reais ($1.5 billion). This is the CNC’s estimate for the loss for the country’s…