Paphos announces scheme to aid the elderly in the region during the pandemic

With elderly people being especially at risk from the coronavirus, local authorities want to help them any way they can

Local authorities in the Cypriot city of Paphos have announced the creation of a new department that will be responsible exclusively for helping the elderly and vulnerable in the city and the surrounding area during the coronavirus pandemic.

Municipality taking quick measures

Specifically, the new department and its employees are meant to help them with essential tasks – such as purchasing goods and medicines. That way, senior citizens will not be forced to leave the house and will be exposed to less risk of infection.

The creation of the new department was prompted by the decision of the Mayor of Paphos Phedonas Phedonos to boost the municipality’s efforts in helping the government limit the spread of the COVID-19 disease across the country.

The new office is operated by municipal employees who are available for questions and information on weekdays between 8 AM and 2 PM.

Further government plans

Meanwhile, authorities are also already considering how to further increase the scope of their aid to disadvantaged and vulnerable groups – more specifically, those living in the mountain ranges of Cyprus.

Their relative isolation acts both as a boon and a curse. Citizens living far away from large urban centres are forced to make longer and thus more perilous journeys in order to procure essential supplies.

That is why government officials are currently in the process of contacting authorities in such regions – that way, they will know how many people are in need of supplies and will be able to figure out the best ways to assist them.

One of the ideas is for the government to set up a distribution centre in the village of Trimiklini, where the presidents of remote communities can come and collect the supplies that have been procured and delivered by national authorities.

By streamlining delivery processes, local and national governments are further helping prevent the uncontrollable spread of the COVID-19 virus and are thus potentially saving lives.