President Nicos Anastasiades warned on Wednesday the spread of the coronavirus could get out of control with devastating consequences, as the cabinet decided to extend the 11pm curfew in place in Limassol and Paphos to the whole island and place fresh, stricter measures in the two hotspots.
“Scientists … warn that if there is no full compliance with the existing measures and if we don’t react immediately with further restrictions, the consequences for the entire population will be asymmetrical,” Anastasiades said in an address to the country.
The president said the daily rise in infections could get out of control and threaten lives, the health system, the economy and individual welfare.
The president said he understood the mental and physical fatigue felt by the population but pointed out that lifting restrictions imposed during the first wave in the spring “unfortunately led to complacency and the illusion that we overcame the dangers for good”.
He made a special appeal to youths to avoid reckless behaviour that could cause pain.
“Today, I am not only intervening as the president, but mostly as a father, a grandfather as a parent who worries about his loved ones, but also the wellbeing of his fellow citizens.”
He asked youths to consider how much pain they will go through if a loved one lost their life because of their reckless behaviour.
“I urge them not to ignore how insecure they would feel if one of their parents lost their job.”
Anastasiades also made an appeal towards parents to understand that avoiding mass gatherings and celebrations for their children would be the smallest sacrifice towards the general good.
Among the measures announced by Health Minister Constantinos Ioannou later was an extension of curfews and restaurant closures across the island and stricter measures, like gym closures, in the districts of Limassol and Paphos.
“Our aim is not to mentally burden you. We know, and are going through it ourselves, that there is fatigue after this long battle.” Ioannou said. “In this marathon that we are running all this time, we are once again called to choose if we are going to finish standing on our feet together or whether we will leave some people behind.”
The cabinet decided to extend across the island measures now in effect in Limassol and Paphos. The measures kick in on Thursday and will be in place until the end of the month.
They include an 11pm to 5am curfew and closure of restaurants and other hospitality venues at 10.30pm. Delivery service will be allowed after that time.
The maximum number of customers allowed in these venues is 75 inside and 150 outside, with six persons per table maximum.
Gatherings of over 10 people in homes and other places are banned.
Places of worship can only let in up to 75 people while sports meetings like football games will be without spectators.
Protective masks will continue to be mandatory indoors and outdoors for everyone over 12.
As regards weddings and christenings, between November 13 and January 15, there will be no cocktail parties and receptions. Only dinners will be allowed with up to 150 guests sitting six per table.
Children’s playgrounds will operate with a maximum 50 people inside and 150 if outside, provided the distance rules are applied. Birthday parties in playgrounds with over 10 people are banned.
The use of changing rooms in gyms is also banned.
Special, additional measures were also decided for Limassol and Paphos where the problem is particularly serious. These will run between Thursday and November 16.
According to the minister, Limassol has chalked up 420 infections per 100,000 people between October 17 and 30, while Paphos has 294. The ECDC hotspot threshold is 150.
In these cities all sports activities involving children under 18 have been banned. These include, football, dancing, martial arts, theatre, choirs, and so on.
Also banned are sports meetings involving under 18s whose base is in Limassol or Paphos.
Any football fixtures for example with teams in Nicosia will be suspended until the measures are lifted.
All children’s playgrounds indoor and outdoor will be closed, as well as gyms.
More generally, businesses were also advised to take steps to reduce the number of staff in the workplace by implementing work from home where possible with priority given to vulnerable groups.
The authorities recommend a rotation system involving 30 per cent to 50 per cent of staff. Personnel should also be divided in groups that will not come into contact and breaks should also be taken separately and common areas should be avoided.
According to the ministry, vulnerable people are those who suffer from chronic respiratory problems, kidney and heart failure, heart disease, those who underwent organ transplants, cancer patients, people with HIV, and pregnant women with preeclampsia, and gestational diabetes.
