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Christ the Redeemer to undergo disinfection before reopening

The monument has been closed for five months due to the pandemic
Akemi Nitahara
Published on 13/08/2020 - 11:11
Rio de Janeiro
Militares trabalham na desinfecção da estátua do Cristo Redentor antes de sua reabertura em meio ao surto da doença do coronavírus (COVID-19), no Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, 13 de agosto de 2020. REUTERS / Ricardo Moraes
© REUTERS / Ricardo Moraes/Direitos Reservados

Christ the Redeemer is set to reopen to the public on Saturday (Aug. 15), after five months closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. One of Rio’s top tourist attractions, the monument is to be disinfected on Thursday (13) before visitors are allowed to return.

Also to be disinfected are the Corcovado train, one of the paths leading to the statue, and the Paineiras Visitors’ Center.

Father Osmar, rector at the Christ the Redeemer Sanctuary, pointed out that the monument is one of the most sought-after and visited spots in town, and a symbol of Brazil. “Christ the Redeemer, who always welcomes everyone in a special manner, deserves our best, the best of our institutions for the well-being of all of our visitors,” he said.

The initiative is a joint effort by agents from the Brazilian Navy, the Army, and the Air Force, who have joined forces to fight, control, and prevent COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic, in March. Over 400 disinfection sessions have been conducted at public places like terminal stations, airports, train and subway stations, ferryboats, hospitals, health care units, and shelter homes.

Militares trabalham na desinfecção da estátua do Cristo Redentor antes de sua reabertura em meio ao surto da doença do coronavírus (COVID-19), no Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, 13 de agosto de 2020. REUTERS / Ricardo Moraes
The initiative is a joint effort by agents from the Brazilian Navy, the Army, and the Air Force, who have joined forces to fight, control, and prevent COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic, in March - REUTERS / Ricardo Moraes/Direitos Reservados