Representatives of the commercial sector on Friday renewed their criticism of the government’s measures which has locked them out of business during the key Christmas period.
“This decision unfairly targets shopping centres and impoverishes 600 businesses and more than 12,000 employees,” the group said.
The workers will have to get by on just 60 per cent of their wages, which will negatively impact the families and the wider economy, said Theodoros Nicholson, managing director of the Notos group. He was supported by representatives of five shopping malls, the manager of the Moda Group Sonia Constantinou, and Michalis Hadjipantelas, chairman of the Nicosia Mall.
With bars, restaurants, cafes, malls and many other businesses out of work there are concerns as to the economic hardship and how it will be managed.
At the press conference, held online, the representatives said that the measures may have unintended consequences, such as funnelling people into fewer shops with more overcrowding, which could have adverse health effects.
The representatives also stressed that under the current guidelines, shopping malls already strictly follow the protocols by guarding the entrances to count the number of visitors, take temperatures, and ensure the use of masks along with reminding shoppers to keep their distance.
Shops being shuttered comes at the worst possible time for the sector, as the Christmas period provides crucial income which will be irrevocably lost, the representatives warned. They said the new measure would lead to the bankruptcy of hundreds of retail businesses, which are housed in shopping malls.
They also said the commercial sector has been unfairly treated as the vast majority of shops were adhering to the health protocols.
A group of representatives also met with house speaker Adamos Adamou and submitted a letter with their views and suggestions, including higher fines for shops which are not adhering to the protocols.
The decision to temporarily close malls from Friday until the end of the month has divided public opinion, with many saying the move was long overdue as the health crisis mounts. Others are concerned that the financial fallout will lead to its own health crisis and the long-lasting effects will cripple the economy.
Many businesses are having to be creative in adapting to the restrictions, such as Nicosia Mall which is setting up a ‘pick up’ service – with orders available to be made either online or via phone calls.
