Even statues in Brazil don face masks amid coronavirus outbreak!

In the battle against the coronavirus in Brazil, authorities in Rio de Janeiro imposed a mandatory use of masks for people walking on streets or using public transportation services.

According to local media reports, only homemade and common masks are made compulsory for the public while professionals masks are kept for medical workers only to avoid any shortages.

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People will have to pay a fine in case they are found in violation of the rule. However, the authorities are yet to make a decision on the amount of fine.

While the public marked the first of the restriction on Friday, statues were also seen supporting masks, in an attempt by authorities to encourage the citizens to follow the precautionary measures.

The authorities decorated the statues of various Brazilian celebrities including singers, writers, social leaders and politicians with masks and various signs to spread awareness about the measures.

According to reports, over 2,900 people have lost their lives in Brazil due to deadly coronavirus while more than 45,700 others are infected.

The state of Sao Paulo is the epicentre of coronavirus in Brazil with1,134, deaths and over15,900 infections. While Rio has 490 fatalities and 5,552 infections.

Meanwhile, country's President Jair Bolsonaro has sparked outrage across the country for downplaying the global health emergency andlack of response to it.

Since the virus outbreak, Bolsonaro has sharply slammed isolation measures and shut down while blaming media for exaggerating the issue.

On April 20,Bolsonaro defied the coronavirus lockdown and came out in public to support a rally that defended military intervention.

The president, hence, infringed his own ministry's recommendation to maintain social distancing, prompting criticism across the political spectrum.

(With inputs from agencies)