Brazil is facing “economic collapse” because of the lockdown measures, the country’s economy minister has warned.

The stay-at-home measures could lead to food shortages and “social disorder," Paulo Guedes said as he joined business leaders protesting at the Supreme Court against the measures that are enforced by local state governors.

"Within about 30 days, there may start to be shortages on shelves and production may become disorganised, leading to a system of economic collapse, of social disorder," Guedes warned.

Brazil is the epicentre of the virus in South America with more than 130,000 confirmed infections and around 9,000 deaths linked to the virus.

The country is deeply divided over whether the lockdown or economic continuity should be prioritised.

Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro, who has long been at loggerheads with governors who enforce lockdowns, said on Thursday that "fighting the virus shouldn't do more damage than the virus itself".