RIO DE JANEIRO, May 11 (Xinhua) -- Several of Brazil's regional capitals on Monday stepped up lockdown measures in a bid to fight the novel coronavirus, which has claimed more than 11,000 lives.

In Rio de Janeiro, Brazil's second-largest city and the one with the second-highest number of COVID-19 deaths after Sao Paulo, Mayor Marcelo Crivella announced a measure to restrict traffic in 10 districts starting Tuesday and banned the reopening of shops in the favelas.

"We had an increase in cases at the start of May. Some people think that it was due to May 1 celebrations. It is very important to remember that we are only protected if everyone is using a face mask," Crivella said at a press conference.

In Rio de Janeiro state, at least 1,714 people have died from COVID-19, and 17,062 people have tested positive.

In northeast Pernambuco state, the government declared a 15-day lockdown for its capital Recife and metropolitan area to stop the spread of the virus.

The decision made Recife the fourth regional capital, after Sao Luis, Belem and Fortaleza, to make it mandatory for residents to stay at home and wear face masks when going out, if necessary. Enditem

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