Cyprus unveils new rules and regulations for businesses

The guidelines are meant to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and will be in force at the very least until early 2021

Earlier this week, the Cypriot Ministry of Health issued new advice and guidelines for businesses and their workers that are meant to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and will be in force at the very least until early 2021.

Something for everyone

The new government advice does not override but rather complements policies that have already been adopted. Furthermore, the new guidelines will give many different types of businesses specific information and rules that they must follow.

When it comes to the maximum number of visitors and customers at a venue, the new rules state that if there are no specific recommendations, the 1 person per 8 square metres advice should be kept. In business’ work areas, however, a distance of a minimum of 2 metres must be kept between employees. Employees who come into contact with the public must always be wearing a mask and must take care of their personal hygiene.

The government now places a special emphasis on the regular briefings by employers in order to keep their staff informed of how to keep themselves and others safe. Furthermore, the government continues to encourage working from whenever possible and teleconferencing instead of physical meetings.

Employers must also make sure that proper hygiene equipment can be found in the workplace that would make disinfection possible. For example, hand sanitizer must be placed around doors for people who use the handles and surgical masks must be distributed to employees. Extra care of keeping bathrooms clean must also be taken in order to ensure the safety of personnel.

Finally, should a case be detected at a workplace, the suspected individual must be isolated. Their personal doctor or an emergency number must also immediately be called. Once the infected person leaves the workplace, the place he had occupied must be thoroughly disinfected.

The government also wants to remind employers that all measures must be adhered to while simultaneously respecting the personal data of workers. More case-specific details about the new measures can be found at the Cypriot government’s coronavirus hub - www.pio.gov.cy/coronavirus/.