Brazil demonstrators took to streets across the country their call for President Jair Bolsonaro's impeachment over how he handled COVID-19 in the South American nation. BBC reported that demonstrations also took place in some of Brazil's major cities, such as Rio De Janeiro.

The demonstration over the response of Bolsonaro and his administration on COVID-19 came days after the Brazilian president led a motorcade with his supporters without face coverings, as he slammed the officials who enacted "confinement or curfews." Bolsonaro claimed that these measures have "no scientific proof."

Protesters: "Oust Bolsonaro"

Thousands of people gathered in front of the gates of Congress located in Brasilia, the country's capital. The people called for the impeachment of the Brazilian president and demanded more vaccines in response to coronavirus. Protesters in Brasilia were also accompanied by a giant plastic doll of President Jair Bolsonaro, as well as placards. The signs read as "Bolsonaro Out" and "Impeachment Now," according to an Al Jazeera report.

Apart from Bolsonaro's impeachment and his COVID-19 response, some protesters also called for indigenous people's better protection as well as stopping the deforestation of the Amazon.

"We must stop this government. We must say 'enough is enough'," said a protester in Rio De Janeiro to AL Jazeera citing AFP. At least 10,000 people were also reported to gather in Rio de Janeiro calling for Bolsonaro's impeachment.

Rallies were also reported to take place in at least 16 cities of Brazil, including Belo Horizonte and Salvador. In some cities, thousands of symbolic crosses were laid to pay tribute to those who died because of the coronavirus. Meanwhile, in Recife, BBC stated that the police fired rubber bullets and tear gas at the demonstrators who tried to march down a closed road.

Brazil's COVID-19 Deaths Surpass 460,000

Apart from the demonstrators calling for Bolsonaro's impeachment and a better COVID-19 response, the Brazilian government also faced another dilemma as the deaths related to coronavirus in the country surpassed the 460,000-mark. The country's health ministry confirmed with Reuters that the number of deaths reached 461,057, as Brazil registered at least 2,012 new deaths on Saturday.

Because of this, Brazil has the second-largest number of deaths related to COVID-19 worldwide.

Only 10 percent of Brazil's adult population were fully vaccinated as the South American nation only received at least 46 million doses. Butantan Institute told a Senate Committee that the actions of President Jair Bolsonaro delayed the start of the vaccination program in the country.

BBC noted that in August, the said institute offered to supply the country with 100 million doses of CoronaVac vaccine which they manufacture under the license of China's Sinovac. However, a day after the offer, Bolsonaro reportedly pledged that he will not buy a Chinese vaccine.

It can be remembered that Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro received backlash for downplaying the risks of COVID-19 as he shunned public health measures, curfews, and lockdowns. The president was also reported to ask Brazilians to "stop whining" about the current situation of the country due to coronavirus.

WATCH: Protests in Brazil over Bolsonaro's COVID-19 response - from Reuters