Update – 15/03/2020 – Part 2

President Nicos Anastasiades on Sunday announced sweeping new measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 that include suspension of the operation of private companies and a requirement that those still allowed to enter Cyprus present certificates that they have tested negative for COVID-19 .

President Anastasiades:

• Reassessment of the situation with the increasing spread of the COVID-19. The cabinet has decided to place the Republic of Cyprus under a state of emergency. Added to what was announced on Friday, it was further decided, with a view to preserving public health and the financial sustainability of the country :
• Entry to the RoC will only be allowed to those who upon entry have a valid medical certificate of having being tested on the COVID-19 . Whoever falls in this category, will be placed in a compulsory quarantine for 14 days, at areas that will be designated by the RoC. Nobody will be allowed to enter the Republic of Cyprus unless they accept these conditions. A 750 Euro allowance will be given to all students who decide to stay in their countries of study, until 30 April 2020. The same conditions go to anyone who decides to cross through the crossing points in the country
• 100 million Euros will be given to the enhancement of public health
• The work of private enterprises like Malls, cafes, restaurants, bars, gyms etc. will be suspended for four weeks – Supermarkets, pharmacies, private health services, bakeries, kiosks, and petrol stations will remain open under certain conditions.
• Support programme to private enterprises decided – 700 million Euros will be diverted to this end (the support of the European Union institutions will be sought for this)
• Plan of a state of emergency in the civil sector
• Regarding church-going, the Archbishop of Cyprus has been informed and has decided to make the relevant statements in the afternoon (the Church of Cyprus is expected to call for an end to church-going for three weeks)

Minister of Health, Constantinos Ioannou:

• From 18:00 on 16 March until 30 April entry to the RoC will be allowed to Cyprus only if they can present a medical certificate issued within the last four days
• Enterprises that need to close for four weeks: Shopping malls, Cafes and bars, restaurants, excluding those that deliver at home/take away – Cinemas, theatres, libraries, museums, betting agencies, sports and cultural facilities, luna parks, massages/spa areas, beauty centres, casinos, hair salons
• All the other enterprises that remain open should have up to five employees
• Hotels should suspend their works until 30 April 2020 and will only be able to work for the next 6 days.
• Remain open: supermarkets, if only 1 person per square metres, pharmacies, bakeries, petrol stations, kiosk (same applies)
• All business and civil sector enterprises that have customer support should not be allowed to serve more than 1 person per 8 square metres, including the employees.
• Public means of transport will also face similar restrictions

Minister of Finance, Constantinos Petrides:

• Support programme in order to face the consequences of this unexpected crisis
• Significant financial repercussions
• 450 ml Euros to fiscal policy and 250 ml Euros in order to assist the liquidity of enterprises in the coming months
• 100 ml Euros diverted to the public health sector, in order to employee more workforce, acquire more medical supplies, enhance the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics (that conducts the COVID-19 tests)
• The added contribution to the National Health System (GESY) will not be placed on the shoulders of employees, employers and the state. BUT the second phase of the National Health System (GESY) will run undisturbed, any further expenses will be covered by the state
• Suspension of VAT payments for the next two months for enterprises for work cycle less than 1 ml Euros per year
• Reduction of VAT in order to enhance consumption- 70 million Euros cost (from 19% to 17%)
• Delay in the submission of tax reviews by three months
• The banks will be able to seek funds from the European institutions
• The Cyprus Central Bank considers further measures
• Financial cup on a number of products, including those of medical hygiene in order to avoid profiteering
• From 17 March those in the civil sector that can, will be working from home, when possible and emergency staff will be established in order to serve the public – Core services (police, medics, firefighters) excluded
• 11 ml Euros given to the tourism industry in order to support hotels, airlines and travel agencies

Minister of Labour, Zeta Emilianidou

• Support to employees and fragile groups in the population
• Special leave to parents who work in the private sector, in order to care for children up to 15 years old. The leave will have a duration of four weeks and will be given an allowance that will depend on the monthly salary (60% for the first 1000 Euros and 40% after the first 1000 with a maximum of 2500 Euros salary)
• Enterprises the employee up to 5 persons and have seen a reduction in their work cycle of more than 25% could reach for an allowance for the payment of their employees, provided that they do not fire them
• Sick leave allowance to people who face significant medical problems
• Mobile trolleys in order for older people to have access to food and pharmaceutical products and require the support of the state
• All allowances will be easy to access and reached without bureaucratic obstacles

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