The city of Rio de Janeiro estimates an audience of 1.5 million people in show by singer Madonna, which will take place in Copacabana, in the south zone of the city of Rio de Janeiro, on May 4th (Saturday). A scheme, similar to that adopted annually at New Year’s Eve events, was announced by municipal, state and federal authorities, this Thursday (25).
According to the city hall, Madonna is expected to take the stage at 9:45 pm and perform a show two hours long. The event, however, should start at 7pm, with DJs performing and end at 2am. Images and sound of shows will be retransmitted by 18 towers located in front and behind the stage, which will be located in front of the Copacabana Palace.
According to the municipal tourism company, Riotur, 170 extra flights are confirmed between May 1st and 6th, connecting Rio to 27 national destinations. A 30% movement is also expected at the Novo Rio bus station on the 3rd and 4th.
“The expectation is that the hotel chain will reach 100% occupancy [em Copacabana], which generates more than R$300 million in the city’s economy, generating employment and income. May we deliver this spectacle in the best way possible, not only for us, Rio residents, but for the whole world”, stated the president of Riotur, Patrick Corrêa.
In addition to the public on land, 226 vessels are expected, which will be able to anchor at a distance of at least 200 meters from the shore, according to the Port Authority.
Security
The Military Police will work with 3,200 officers in the Copacabana neighborhood alone and will reinforce patrolling around the venue and in traffic areas entering and exiting the presentation, such as the Central do Brasil station and the Gentileza bus terminal.
In addition to the facial recognition cameras that are already normally used in the neighborhood, there will be 12 extra pieces of equipment, as well as two drones that also use the technology. The police will be at 18 access points to the neighborhood and will have 18 search locations at the entrances to Avenida Atlântica, where there will be metal detectors. It will not be possible to access the shore with sharp instruments or glass bottles.
The Civil Police reported that it will reinforce, with 1,500 police officers, the police stations in the Copacabana area and the special units for Tourist Assistance (Deat), Child and Adolescent Protection (DPCA), Women’s Protection (Deam) and Crime Racial and Intolerance Offenses (Decradi).
The police stations in Copacabana will have bilingual service. The Special Resources Coordination (Core) will be on standby, with its bomb disposal squad, should its use be necessary.
Traffic
The area will have a traffic blockade starting at 7am on Saturday, when the closure of the coastal strip of Avenida Atlântica begins. At 6pm, access to private vehicles (including app cars) will be prohibited. At 7:30 pm, the closure will be complete, including for buses and taxis.
The BRT (fast bus corridors) and the VLT (city center tram) will operate 24 hours between Saturday (4) and Sunday (5), allowing connections to the Gentileza bus terminal, which will have buses leaving for Copacabana from 1pm on Saturday. The return of special buses to the terminal will be from 00:00 to 04:00 on Sunday.
The metro will operate on lines 1 normally connecting Uruguay to Jardim Oceânico and 2 connecting Pavuna directly to General Osório, without the need to change in Botafogo.
The closest stop to the show, Cardeal Arcoverde, will only be open for disembarking from 4pm to 10pm. The three Copacabana stations will operate until 4am. From midnight onwards, locations outside Copacabana will only operate with arrivals.
In relation to health, there will be three medical care stations and 30 intensive care ambulances in Copacabana. There will be 800 firefighters, including lifeguards, who will be ready to act in a variety of emergency situations.
