Rio Beach Ban Reversal: Paes Backtracks on Glass Bottles, Live Music Restrictions

Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Paes announced a significant change of plans concerning the recently introduced decree regulating the city's coastline. Initially, the decree, published on May 16th and set to take effect on July 1st, included a ban on the sale of alcoholic beverages in glass containers and live music at kiosks along the city's beaches. However, following a meeting with representatives from beach vendors and kiosk owners on Tuesday, May 27th, Mayor Paes announced a significant backtrack. "The goal of the beach regulations isn't privatization, but to ensure beaches remain a public space accessible to all," Paes stated. The ban on glass bottles will remain in effect, except within the confines of the kiosks themselves. Live music will be permitted, but under a strict self-regulatory system overseen by Orla Rio, with specific time limits and decibel level restrictions. Vendors who exceed these limits will face penalties: R$1,000 for the first offense, R$2,000 for the second, and license revocation for the third. Furthermore, beach vendors will now be allowed to use their own names and logos, rather than just the numbers assigned by the city, but will need to adhere to a standardized format. One vendor present at the meeting commented, "We are satisfied with the new regulations." Despite the concessions, Mayor Paes has stressed that strict enforcement will continue against any attempts to restrict public access to the beach. This reversal highlights the balance between regulating public spaces and respecting the needs of local businesses.