RIO DE JANEIRO – A New Year’s Eve party for 150 people organized by Brazilian footballer Neymar, will be subject to “strict health rules” to try to prevent the spread of COVID-19, organizers said.
The Paris Saint-Germain striker has been the subject of strong criticism since details of the event were revealed in a Rio de Janeiro newspaper over the weekend.
But the agency organizing the party claimed that reports that 500 friends and celebrities were invited were not true and that only 150 people would be at the multi-day celebration in Mangaratiba, 105 kilometers from Rio.
“The event will be held in compliance with all health standards determined by public bodies,” the agency said. Works in a statement.
“The event is private and all relevant permits have been obtained,” he added.
Local authorities in Mangaratiba were not available for comment. Neymar’s press office did not respond to the text messages.
Brazil has nearly 7.5 million confirmed cases of COVID-19, the third highest figure in the world, and 191,139 deaths, a number surpassed by the United States alone, according to figures from the Ministry of Health.