Eight people have tested positive for coronavirus after 1968 diagnostic tests the Health Ministry said on Sunday, a day before Cyprus begins the gradual easing of the lockdown. This brings the total number to 872 (including 10 in the British Bases). From the 20,000 tests since April 11 a total of a total of 19,035 have been completed. At 3 pm on Friday, there were 12 patients at Famagusta Hospital, two of them in the increased care unit. All are in stable condition. One patient was discharged. There are five intubated patients in ICUs, four at Nicosia Hospital and one at Limassol Hospital. One patient is in Nicosia Hospital ICU, but are not intubated. Their condition is described as critical but stable. In addition, there are five confirmed Covid-19 cases in hospital wards other than Famagusta Hospital
We are all responsible to protect with our behaviour ourselves, our loved ones, our friends, our colleagues, our compatriots, Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades has said, in a message on social media, ahead of the gradual easing on Monday of restrictive measures in place to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. “Tomorrow we are taking the first slow steps of exiting our shelters. This creates an additional responsibility. We must all protect with our behaviour ourselves, our loved us, our friends, our colleagues, our compatriots,” President Anastasiades wrote on Facebook. “We must strictly adhere to the personal hygiene protocols and the health and safety rules in our workplaces and the places we visit,” he adds. “A little longer. With prudence, consistency and patience we will make it,” President Anastasiades concludes.
A total of 100 people have been trained to begin inspections starting Monday as the first phase of easing restrictions comes into force, Labour Minister Zeta Emilianidou said on Sunday. In statements to the Cyprus News Agency on Sunday, the minister said the mechanism surrounding inspections on businesses set to re-open is ready. As of Monday, the construction sector, retailers (except those in malls), the civil service and dental centres are set to open. Sports in open spaces will also be permitted. “About 100 government workers have been trained whose sole responsibility will be to carry out the inspections and ensure full compliance with the measures,” Emilianidou said. Police and other authorities will also be involved with inspections which will be carried out daily, she added. The measures are aimed at ensuring the health and safety of employees and the general public, she added. “Everyone must adhere to the health, safety and hygiene measures. It is very important so we can deal with this situation,” Emilianidou said.
Police booked 107 pedestrians and drivers after carrying out 3524 checks between 6 pm on Saturday and 6 am on Sunday. There were 1245 checks in Nicosia, with 28 people booked while Limassol once more had the highest number of violations with 39 booked after 611 checks. In Larnaca there were 478 checks and seven bookings, in Paphos 430 checks and 10 bookings and in Famagusta 302 checks resulting in 17 people being booked. Police in the Morphou area carried out 139 checks and booked three, police HQ traffic unit carried out 144 checks and booked on person while MMAD booked three after 139 checks. Moreover police also carried out checks at 408 premises and reported a supermarket in the Paphos district where two employees were not wearing masks and gloves. The checks on premises by district were as follows: Nicosia 17, Limassol 11, Larnaca 133, Paphos 84, Famagusta 67 and Morphou 96.
From Monday all means of public transport will be able to operate with 50 per cent of seats taken, the ministry of transport announced on Sunday. The announcement said the ban on public transport on Sundays remains in force. Regarding taxis, the ministry said only two paying passengers are allowed, while those equipped to carry more than four passengers normally can take a maximum of three. Drivers of both buses and taxis must take measures to protect their own health and safety, wearing masks and gloves. Drivers must also be able to respond in case a passenger displays symptoms of Covid-19.
