Given how much the Brazilian tourism industry normally makes from Carnival – which would be happening now – and is currently losing, this might not be the smartest move from a tourism minister.

Brazil’s Carnival is back, ... Thank God, all my employees are paid up to date,” said Jorge Francisco, who sells sequined and sparkled Carnival accouterments at his shop in downtown Rio.

The COVID-19 pandemic last year prompted Rio to delay Carnival by two months, and watered down some of the fun, which was attended mostly by locals.This year, Brazil’s federal government expects ...