Coronavirus: New Measures Announced on 11th November

Statement by the Minister of Health Mr. Konstantinos Ioannou during the announcement of the emergency measures to stop the pandemic

The government is once again in a difficult position today to announce a new emergency package in an effort to stem the spread of the pandemic and restore the epidemiological picture to a satisfactory level, especially in areas where the transmission of the virus tends to spiral out of control.

I want to make it clear that in the decisions we take, in addition to the epidemiological data, the social and psychological effects that the measures will have on the citizens are primarily evaluated.

At the same time, the final decisions were taken in line with the recommendations of the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). Both I personally and the Epidemiological Surveillance Unit are in constant contact with the ECDC, so that any of our decisions are in line with the updated guidelines issued for all European countries. In fact, in a telephone conversation I had with an ECDC executive on Sunday and according to the epidemiological data of Cyprus, he recommended that any emergency measures decided should be focused locally, where there is a worsening of the epidemiological burden, but also in limiting contacts.

In addition, the guidelines issued by both the World Health Organization and the ECDC in relation to areas and areas at high risk for transmission of the virus were examined and played a role.

Taking into account all the above factors, the following two emergency packages were decided:

Package A – Emergency measures with pan-Cypriot effect : 

The following measures announced on 4 November 2020 shall remain in force until 30 November 2020:

1. The presence of persons in gatherings in homes and in public gathering places is allowed, with the exception of the dining areas, with a maximum number of gatherings of 10 people per house / group , including minors.
2. The operation of the dining areas is allowed until 10:30 in the evening . Catering facilities include restaurants, catering facilities within hotels and other tourist accommodation, catering facilities within shopping malls, department stores and malls, taverns, cafes, pizzerias, pubs, snack bars, bars, cafes , and dining areas within canteens and / or sports clubs, cultural clubs, clubs, associations, etc. It is clarified that the above areas may provide home delivery services after 10:30 pm. The restaurants in Larnaca and Paphos Airports are excluded from the ban.
3. The maximum number of persons allowed to be served in the catering establishments is set at 75 people indoors and 150 people outdoors .
4. The maximum number of persons per reservation / table / group in restaurants, can not exceed 6 people .
5. It is forbidden to move people from 11 pm to 5 am the next day , except for travels for emergency medical reasons (from / to pharmacy, hospital) or for work purposes, with the presentation of a relevant certificate or evidence.
6. Ecclesiastical and other forms of religious worship in churches, mosques and other religious places, as well as religious ceremonies, are performed with a maximum number of persons of 75 , in accordance with the protocols that apply to places of religious worship.
7. It is allowed to hold games in sports facilities, in the context of sports championships, without the presence of spectators , provided that the relevant protocols are observed.
8. The use of locker rooms inside gyms is prohibited .

In addition to the above, they are implemented on a nationwide basis for the period from November 12 to November 30, 2020:

1. The operation of playgrounds, theme parks and luna parks is suspended.
2. Conferences, trade and art exhibitions, assemblies and events are prohibited.
3. Visits to nursing homes, nursing homes, centers for the chronically ill, structures and hostels for vulnerable groups, transitional hostels for day care, day care centers, child protection structures, excluding visits to persons with disabilities per week and in extremely necessary cases will be considered for more visits.
4. The operation of the camps is suspended.
5. It is forbidden for any person to enter and / or leave the reception, hospitality and detention centers of asylum seekers, except for the entry of newly arrived asylum seekers. It is understood that entry and / or exit from such centers is allowed for employees and exceptional entry and / or exit for humanitarian and / or medical reasons with the relevant permission of the Minister of Interior.
6. Beverage and food retailers (supermarkets, mini-markets, butchers, etc.) and pharmacies from the start of their operation until 10 a.m. serve only people over 65 and people with disabilities .

In addition to the above pan-Cypriot measures, and having evaluated the epidemiological data formed during the period from October 25 to November 7 in the Provinces of Limassol and Paphos, it was decided to implement additional local measures. Before presenting the measures, I would like to point out that in both Limassol and Paphos the epidemiological burden has been particularly high for several weeks now, despite the measures taken previously. Indicatively to mention that from the beginning of the pandemic until September, 28% of the cases were from Limassol and Paphos, while in October and until today 70% of the cases came from Limassol and Paphos. Even more characteristic is the fact that from October 28 until today, out of the 2,644 COVID-19 cases recorded, 1, 788 come from Limassol and Paphos, while only during the five days from November 7 to 11, 605 of the 904 cases were from the two Provinces. Also, 49 of the 68 patients who were hospitalized yesterday come from the two Provinces. Even more worrying is the fact that from 31/10 until today we had 8 deaths, of which 7 had permanent residence in Limassol and Paphos.

Based on the above data, the package of measures concerning the two Provinces is as follows:

Package B – Extraordinary measures in force in the Provinces of Limassol and Paphos for the period from November 12 to November 30, 2020.

1. It is forbidden to move people from 8 pm to 5 am the next day, except for travels for emergency medical reasons (from / to pharmacy, hospital) or for work purposes, with the presentation of a relevant certificate or evidence.
2. The movement of persons to and from the Provinces of Limassol and Paphos is prohibited, as well as between the two Provinces, with the exception of the movement of workers in essential services, movement for a medical incident (upon presentation of a medical certificate), movement for the transfer of persons to and from Airports and Paphos and the Port of Limassol.
3. Meetings in public places (parks, squares, dams, picnic areas, beaches, sidewalks and marinas, etc.) are prohibited, except for sports purposes, provided that they do not exceed two people, except for the minor children of parents who play sports.
4. It is allowed to be present in gatherings of persons in families, with a maximum number of gatherings of 10 people per house, including minors.
5. Church worship and other forms of religious worship in religious places are performed without the presence of believers.
6. Religious ceremonies (weddings, baptisms, funerals) with a maximum number of 10 people are allowed .
7. It is forbidden to hold meals / dinners and any other events for weddings and christenings , other than the event in a house with a maximum of 10 people including minors.
8. The operation of public and private Lyceums and Higher and Higher Education Institutions from November 16, 2020 will be carried out with distance education . Kindergartens, Primary Schools and Gymnasiums continue to operate normally.
9. The public services (public, wider public sector and Local Government Authorities) will operate with security personnel for urgent matters and serving the citizens for emergencies . It is understood that employees in essential services are excluded from the regulation, who continue to operate smoothly in compliance with the relevant protocols. Employees who are not employed in essential services will work remotely, on a rotating basis .

10. Visits to public and private hospitals, clinics, medical and diagnostic centers are prohibited .

11. The operation of restaurants (restaurants, taverns, cafes, pizzerias, pubs, breweries, snack bars, bars, cafes, and restaurants within canteens and / or sports clubs, cultural clubs, clubs, associations, etc.) is suspended, with the exception of services related to home delivery and take-away. It is understood that after the travel prohibition time only the home delivery service is allowed. Dining areas within hotels and tourist accommodation can be open until 10:30 pm only for the service of persons who spend the night in their premises. Dining areas within Paphos Airport are exempt from the ban.

12. The operation of archeological sites, museums and historical sites is suspended.

13. The operation of outdoor and indoor theaters, amphitheaters, cinemas and theater halls is suspended.

14. The public markets will operate with 50% fullness , based on the relevant protocol.

15. Public transport will operate at 50% of its capacity .

16. The operation of closed shopping centers, department stores and large stores in excess of more than 500 sq.m. is suspended. . It is understood that food retailers are exempt from the above regulation.

17. The operation of the aesthetic and tattoo centers is suspended .

18. The operation of hairdressers and barbershops is suspended .

19. The operation of the gyms is suspended .

20. The operation of the Driving Schools is suspended .

21. The operation of gambling and betting companies is suspended .

22. The operation of casinos is suspended .

23. The operation of swimming pools is suspended, with the exception of use by persons with disabilities for therapeutic purposes or for training of up to four people, including the coach.

24. The operation of gyms, swimming pools and spas inside hotels and tourist accommodation is allowed only to serve the persons who spend the night in the said premises.

25. The Port of Limassol will operate only for commercial transactions and activities. The disembarkation of cruise ship passengers is prohibited.

26. Training and sports events for persons under 18 years of age are suspended.

27. Training and sports events are suspended , with the exception of Division A championships and National Team matches.

28. The operation and use of organized sports facilities is prohibited , with the exceptions that will be defined in the relevant Decree.

29. Group sports and social activities for children under 18 years of age are prohibited , as defined in the relevant instructions issued by the Ministry of Health.

Friends,

The period of more than 8 months that we experience the consequences of the pandemic has caused all of us mainly psychological fatigue. The fact that we do not currently have a clear picture of when we will have at our disposal either an effective vaccine or a treatment, causes greater uncertainty and, consequently, intolerance in all of us.

The biggest and most important problem we are called to manage is that of the large number of contacts that each positive incident has. The work of the tracking team is burdened daily due to the very large number of contacts declared by each case. The main goal of the announced measures is precisely to reduce contacts and minimize the possibility of transmission of the virus to other people from the professional or social environment.

The health measures taken are not pleasant for any of us. However, it is our only weapon at the moment, in order to prevent the deterioration of our epidemiological data and to safeguard Public Health. Constant vigilance by all of us and adherence to protocols is the only shield we have to protect vulnerable groups and our elderly, who are more likely to have a serious illness.

I am confident that each of us recognizes the need to once again act responsibly for ourselves and the collective good. I have no doubt that we will rise to the occasion again and we will be able to control the spread of the virus and we will gradually return to more normal conditions.