Press Releases

Due to the increase in COVID-19 cases during the last few days concentrated mainly in the Districts of Limassol and Nicosia and occurring mostly in work places and family gatherings, the implementation of additional contingency measures has been decided in the both areas, aiming at containing the spread of the virus in the two Districts and protecting public health, as follows:

1. Attendance is allowed at house gatherings and public meeting places, excluding catering establishments, with a maximum number of 10 persons present per house/group, including under-age children.
2. Church services and other forms of religious worship in churches, mosques and other religious places, as well as religious ceremonies, shall be performed with a maximum number of 75 persons, subject to the protocols in force for the places of religious worship.
3. The holding of matches in sport venues of the Nicosia and Limassol Districts is allowed in the context of athletic championships, without spectators being present, provided the relevant protocols are observed. Fans of the teams based in other Districts are advised not to move out of Nicosia or Limassol.
4. The maximum number of persons allowed to be served at catering establishments in the Districts of Limassol and Nicosia is set at 75 persons in indoor spaces and 150 persons in outdoor spaces. In each case, the social distancing measure of 3 sq.m. for indoor spaces and 2 sq.m. for outdoor spaces per person shall continue in force, regardless of the area in square metres of each establishment. For example, if a catering establishment in the Limassol or Nicosia District covers an outdoor area of 400 sq.m. and according to the social distancing measure of 2 sq. m. per person it could serve up to 200 persons, the number of customers cannot exceed 150. If an establishment has an indoor area of 300 sq.m. and according to the social distancing measure of 3 sq.m. per person it could serve up to 100 persons, the number of persons served cannot exceed 75. Provided that in each case no more than 10 persons may be seated at a single table.
5. Cinemas, theatres and performance halls are allowed to operate with a maximum number of 75 persons in indoor spaces and 150 persons in outdoor spaces, subject always to the guidelines and the protocols.
6. Cocktail parties and well-wishing ceremonies at weddings and christenings are prohibited. Physical presence is only allowed at lunch or dinner with a maximum of 350 persons attending.

The above measures are regulated by a Decree of the Minister of Health to be issued tomorrow with immediate effect. The measures will last for a period of 10 days, i.e. until the morning of Friday, 23 October.

In addition to the above measures which will be implemented locally in Limassol and Nicosia, an appeal is made to all workers and employees island-wide to maintain with consistency and severity the health protocols, which are in place in various sites/businesses. Recent results have shown that there are chains of infection in specific professional areas, which points to the fact that instructions are not properly followed in all of the cases.

Moreover, it should be stressed once again as a necessity for all of us to be thoroughly diligent on matters of personal hygiene and to be particularly careful about our movements and contacts with other people.

Finally, the public is reminded that in case of developing any symptoms (coughing, fever, breathing difficulty, loss of smell, and loss of taste or distortion of taste) they should immediately contact their Personal Physician for further medical guidance.

( DC )