Brazilian police use a helicopter to create sandstorms chasing people off beaches.
Brazilian police flew a helicopter across a beach in the city of Florianopolis to create a sandstorm and chase away sunbathers who were breaking quarantine rules.
In a video shared by local media, the police helicopter can be seen targeting two beachgoers sitting on their towels.
As the helicopter draws nearer to the couple, sand is flung into the air forcing the pair to cover the faces and run away.
Police sources said helicopter beach flights will continue for the next few days.
The video comes only a day after Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro minimised the threat of the coronavirus, saying its destructive power has been “overstated.”
“In my opinion, that virus’s destructive power is overstated. Maybe it is even potentially being exaggerated for political reasons,” he said.
Although the Brazilian government has yet to impose a national lockdown, the state of Santa Catarina has enacted its own restrictions.
Helicóptero da Polícia em SC faz tempestade de areia para as pessoas saírem da praia.. pic.twitter.com/jggkvCBmj0
— Marcio Lins (@_marciolins) March 22, 2020
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