Cyprus eases some restrictions, imposes new amid surge in Covid-19 cases

Schools will continue distance learning while restaurants will be allowed to serve customers outdoors

Following a Cabinet meeting on Friday to review the lockdown across Cyprus, Health Minister Constantinos Ioannou announced slight easing of some Covid-19 restrictions and imposition of new measures. The recent surge in coronavirus cases on the island makes any major relaxation of lockdown restrictions unlikely in the short term.  

Schools on distance learning  

As reported by Cyprus Mail, from Monday, up to six people from different households will be allowed to gather in public spaces and parks but they must use masks. Just for Green Monday, people can congregate at picnic sites and dams.

The curfew will begin at 11pm with the SMS notification system remaining in force. In a nod to the hospitality industry, restaurants will be allowed to reopen from Tuesday, but they can serve seated customers only in outdoor areas such as terraces and gardens.

Primary school pupils in Limassol where the rate of infections is the highest will leave classrooms and switch to remote learning until March 31. Lower secondary high schools (gymnasiums) in all districts will continue online classes until the end of the month.

Friday’s Cabinet meeting came two days after the government, worried by rising case numbers and hospital admissions, postponed any decision regarding the easing of restrictions. According to minister Ioannou, the rise in hospitalisations was a cause of concern while the latest infections were within the family and workplaces. He acknowledged that many people are lowering the guard due to pandemic fatigue.

Hospitalizations have doubled

State health services (OKYPY) spokesman Charalambos Charilaou rang the alarm bell on Thursday, reporting that the number of coronavirus patients in state hospitals has increased twofold in the last ten days compared to February. He stipulated that the existing Covid-19 wards are not full to capacity yet and new ones can be created, if need be.

Apparently reacting to the expert’s admission, the health ministry announced on Friday that a Covid-19 ward is to be arranged at Paphos state hospital and the ward at Larnaca general hospital will be reactivated. Currently, Nicosia and Limassol Hospitals have Covid-19 wards, and Famagusta general is the referral hospital for coronavirus cases.