Brazil President Bolsonaro Fined $100 For Attending & Cheering Bike Rally Without Wearing Mask

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was fined $100 for violating Covid-19 containment measures in Sao Paulo state by failing to wear a face mask and provoking huge crowds at a motorcycle rally for supporters.

Thousands of roaring motorcycles took part in the "Accelerate for Christ" rally in Sao Paulo, led by the far-right president, who wore an open-faced helmet and no mask, in violation of state health regulations.

AFP

Bolsonaro, who has been holding such rallies across Brazil as he gears up to seek re-election next year, defied a prior warning from Sao Paulo Governor Joao Doria, a political rival, who had said the president would be fined if he failed to observe state regulations.

Bolsonaro has repeatedly clashed with Doria and other governors over measures against Covid-19, which has claimed nearly 485,000 lives in Brazil, second only to the United States.

Earlier, when Bolsonaro was boarding a commercial plane, he was booed by people.

Reuters

Responding to the boos, Bolsonaro removed his face mask to joke, "Those people saying 'Get out, Bolsonaro' should be traveling by donkey."

The president regularly criticizes stay-at-home measures and face masks, instead touting medications such as chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine despite studies showing they are ineffective against Covid-19.