Rio cancels Carnival street parades, parties for 2nd year as Omicron surges in Brazil

Members of a “bate-bola” or ball hitters group – men who dress up in exuberant, identical, hand-made costumes known as “fantasias” – run past during a Carnival tradition despite restrictions due to the new cornavirus pandemic, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021. Rio’s city government officially suspended Carnival and warns it will have no tolerance for those who try to celebrate with open street parades or clandestine parties. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado).