Rio's Christ statue closes and state of emergency decreed

Rio de Janeiro's Christ the Redeemer statue, which appears to balance improbably atop Corcovado mountain, has withstood the worst of what the elements could muster for nearly nine decades. Now it, too, is succumbing to the outbreak of the new coronavirus.

The 125-foot-tall statue, which last year saw almost 2 million visitors, closed at day-end Tuesday and won't reopen for at least a week. To contain the virus' spread, Brazil's Chico Mendes Institute on Tuesday ordered the closure of all national parks it oversees, including the one that's home to the Christ.

At the foot of the statue throughout the overcast afternoon, the last selfie-snapping tourists were still allowed to gather on the lookout that offers a panoramic view out over the so-called Marvelous City.

Rio seems less marvelous by the day with the creep of the new virus. Firemen began blaring recordings that urge beachgoers to stay home on Monday, one day before Rio's Gov. Wilson Witzel decreed a state of emergency. They did the same Tuesday, though it was hardly a beach day.

Among other things, Witzel's decree recommended that restaurants and bars limit themselves to 30 per cent capacity for 15 days, that boats and buses halve their passenger loads, that shopping malls close and people avoid beaches and public pools.

The decree also suspended classes and all other activities and events that entail gatherings.

"We are afraid, we feel unsafe," Maurilivia Gomes, a 35-year-old baker visiting from Goias state, said inside the near-empty train riding up the mountain to the Christ.

"We're taking the necessary measures. And we're also going to enjoy what we can and circulate in open spaces, because we can't travel this far then stay confined in a room for four days."