Twitter deleted two posts by Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on Monday in which he played down measures to contain the coronavirus pandemic.

The social network took down two videos from a tour of Brasilia which the president took against the recommendations of his health minister, Luiz Henrique Mandetta. Crowds of people formed around Bolsonaro.

Twitter explained in a message that content that contradicts health information provided by official bodies and exposes people to a greater risk of Covid-19 transmission is not allowed.

Brazil’s Mandetta on Saturday advised people to stay at home to help the fight against coronavirus.

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Bolsonaro spoke to workers at a butcher’s shop and a street vendor in the videos, which were still available on Facebook on Monday.

In the exchanges, he agreed with criticism of lockdowns and warned of consequences such as unemployment.

In both videos, he also mentioned the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine as a possible cure.

The president has repeatedly referred to Covid-19 as “gripezinha” (small flu), criticised the restrictive measures of individual states and cities, and called for a return to normality.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NAN