Opening hours

The new opening hours for shops in the tourist areas of Cyprus will begin tomorrow the Minister of Labour Makis Keravnos confirmed. According to the directive the new tourist shopping hours will last until the November 15.

Shops in the tourist areas of Nicosia, which include those inside the old walls, as well as around the Paphos Gate police station, the Lycavitos police station and the Nicosia Municipality office, will open at 9.30am and close at 11.00pm every day except Sundays, when the shops will remain closed.

In the Limassol tourist areas of Germasoyia, Ayios Athanasios, Mesa Yeitonias, Kato Polemidion shops will also open at 9.30am and serve customers until 11.00pm.
However, in Paralimni and Ayia Napa as well as in the Larnaca beach area shops catering to tourists will also open on Sundays until 7.00pm and from Monday to Saturday until 11.00pm.

In and around the areas of Oroklini, Meneou, Dromolaxia, Kiti, Pervolia, Mazotos and Pylas (excluding the residential areas) in the Larnaca district, and Chlorakas, Pegeas, Polis Chrysochous and other areas in the Paphos District, shops will open at 9.30am and close at 10.00pm every day including Sundays.

Under the new directive shops in the above tourist areas will not close on national holidays and will remain open during siesta between the times of 1.00pm and 4.00pm.
It also states that no court order can waive or affect the new directive and that there are already laws in place that protect shop employees from working more than eight hours per day and exceeding 38 hours per week.