Brazil's beaches empty out, breathe easier, during pandemic

FILE PHOTO: A man walks on the first day of beaches reopening for sports only amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, at Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil June 2, 2020. REUTERS/Pilar Olivares

(Reuters) - Rio de Janeiro's golden beaches are sparkling a lot more during the coronavirus pandemic, as residents and visitors stay away, revealing miles of pristine sand along the spectacular shore.

While Rio has in recent weeks relaxed lockdown measures aimed at curbing the spread of the virus, most locals are still shunning famed beaches like Copacabana and Ipanema as a precaution.