G20 in Rio: See how traffic and commerce will be during the mega-holiday in the capital

Rio's city hall has implemented a special traffic plan; traffic on Avenida Infante Dom Henrique will be restricted; reversible lanes and leisure areas along the coastline will be suspended Residents and tourists in Rio de Janeiro should be aware of traffic changes in certain areas of the city, particularly in the South Zone, and in commerce during the G20 public holiday. At Aterro do Flamengo, where the main event—the summit of representatives from the world's major economies—will take place on November 18 and 19, traffic on Avenida Infante Dom Henrique will be restricted and controlled to ensure the safe and timely movement of delegations. During this period, reversible lanes and leisure areas along the entire South Zone coastline will be suspended. First day: G20 social opening plagued by delays and entry confusion Meeting: Lula and Biden to announce clean energy partnership, defying Trump With the movement of delegations from different countries, representatives of international organizations, tourists, and security forces beginning in advance, changes in the traffic flow at Aterro will start this Friday (15th) and continue until Black Consciousness Day on Wednesday (20th). There will be no leisure area at the site throughout this period, as will be the case in the South Zone of the city. Pedestrian walkways will also be closed. During this time, the Competitive Cycling Protection Area (APCC) at Aterro – Circuito Pedro Nikolay will also be suspended. Check the changes at Aterro: Friday (15th): On Republic Proclamation Day, security agencies will conduct activities on the Aterro lanes, requiring the closure of general traffic in both directions between Trevo dos Estudantes and the Monument to Estácio de Sá, from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. From 12 p.m., the lanes will reopen to general traffic, but there will be no leisure area due to the presence of security vehicles. Sunday to Tuesday (17th to 19th): As numerous delegations will arrive in the city for the main event on the 18th and 19th, vehicle circulation at Aterro do Flamengo will be fully controlled and restricted starting Sunday. Only vehicles related to the event may circulate. From midnight on Saturday to Sunday (17th) until 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday (19th): Aterro do Flamengo's lanes will be closed to general traffic in both directions between Trevo dos Estudantes and the Monument to Estácio de Sá. As on the 15th, there will be no leisure area during these days. Wednesday (20th): On Black Consciousness Day, several delegations and security forces will also use Aterro's lanes for various movements. All lanes will be open to general traffic, but to ensure safe movements, there will also be no leisure area on this date. Suspension of reversible lanes and leisure areas Like in Ipanema and Leblon, Copacabana will experience traffic changes to facilitate the movement of residents and foreigners attending the event. Reversible lanes on Avenida Atlântica and along the entire South Zone coastline will be suspended on the G20 summit days, November 18 and 19. Due to the frequent circulation of convoys escorted by security forces, there will also be no leisure areas on Avenida Atlântica on the 15th, 17th, 18th, 19th, and 20th, despite public holidays. On these dates, vehicle traffic will be allowed in both directions, as on regular weekdays, except during delegation passages. Loading and unloading operations will be prohibited. In addition to Avenida Atlântica, Avenida Princesa Isabel and Rua Francisco Otaviano, other major streets in Copacabana, will also experience frequent delegation traffic. The recommendation from the city hall is for residents to avoid these streets and seek alternative routes for car travel. The changes aim to ensure clear routes for the delegations staying in beachfront hotels. CET-Rio emphasizes the importance of pedestrians using crosswalks and obeying traffic signals, especially during these days of unusual movement, to avoid accidents. Commerce operations During the extended holiday, municipal public offices will be closed according to a decree published by the city hall on October 23. Only essential services such as health, security, public transportation, waste collection, and urban cleaning, as well as funeral services and wholesale establishments, will operate normally. What will be open? street commerce; bars and restaurants; bakery shops; hotels, inns, and guesthouses; shopping malls and commercial galleries; cultural establishments, theaters, cinemas, and libraries; tourist attractions; journalism and broadcasting companies; television programming and production companies; industries located in Planning Areas (APs) 3 (neighborhoods in the North Zone like Penha, Ramos, Irajá, Madureira, Méier, Pavuna, Maré, Jacarezinho, and Ilha do Governador), 4 (Barra da Tijuca and Jacarepaguá), and 5 (neighborhoods in the West Zone like Bangu, Realengo, Campo Grande, Santa Cruz, and Guaratiba); businesses operating remotely. What will be closed? Banks will not operate during this period, but utility bills, such as water, electricity, and phone services due during the holiday, can be paid without penalty on the next business day, October 21 (Thursday), as clarified by the Brazilian Federation of Banks (Febraban).