Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has called the coronavirus lockdown in major cities a "crime".
Speaking to journalists, he accused the mayors and governors of those cities of committing a crime, and urged them to prioritize reviving instead.
"Other viruses have killed many more than this one and there wasn't all this commotion," he stressed.
Meanwhile, Sao Paulo Governor Joao Doria appealed to the leader to "lead the nation, not divide it" at a time of crisis.
It comes as public health experts have warned the coronavirus outbreak in Brazil could trigger a collapse of the healthcare system next month.
The death toll stands at 59 while confirmed cases touched 2,554.


Arab League condemns Israeli settlers’ burning of mosque in West Bank
Albanese tells Australia to 'turn the heat down' after bomb threat
Nepal's rapper-mayor in pole position to become prime minister
Zelenskyy marks war anniversary vowing to fight on, with Ukraine's allies divided
Cape Town airport fire disrupts international and domestic flights
