Latest Update on COVID-19 Restriction Measures

Update on COVID-19 Restriction Measures

In light of the worsening COVID-19 spread in the community, the Ministry of Health has announced that the following restriction measures as be enforced as of 20:00 on the 12^th November 2020 and remain in force until the 30^th November 2020:

CATEGORY A MEASURES – Pancyprian Application

1. Gatherings of persons in houses and public spaces are allowed, with the exception of catering areas, with a maximum number of 10 persons attending per house/group, including under-age children.
2. Catering establishments are allowed to function until 10:30 at
   By catering establishments it is meant the restaurants, catering areas within hotels and other tourist accommodation, catering areas in shopping centres, supermarkets and malls, taverns, cafeterias, pizzerias, pubs, snack-bars, bars, coffee shops and catering areas in canteens or/and sports clubs, cultural circles, associations, societies etc. It is clarified that the above premises may provide home delivery
   services after 10:30 p.m. Catering spaces in the Airports of Larnaka and Pafos are exempt from the prohibition.
3. The maximum number of persons allowed to be served in catering establishments is set at 75 in indoor areas and 150 in outdoor areas.
4. The maximum number of persons per reservation/table/group in catering areas may not exceed six (6).
5. The movement of persons is prohibited from 11 at night until 5 in the morning of the following day, excluding movement for emergency medical reasons (to/from a pharmacy or hospital) or for work purposes by presenting the relevant certificate or documentary evidence.
6. Church services and other forms of religious worship in churches, mosques and other religious sites, as well as religious ceremonies shall be performed with a maximum number of 75 persons, by observing the protocols in force for places of religious worship.
7. Matches held in sports installations in the context of sports championships are allowed without spectators being present, provided the relevant protocols are observed.
8. The use of changing rooms inside gyms is not allowed.
9. The operation of children’s playgrounds, thematic parks and amusement parks is suspended.
10. The holding of conferences, trade and visual exhibitions,
    assemblies and events is not allowed.
11. Visits are banned to old people homes, care units for the elderly, chronic patients’ units, homes and hostels for the hospitality of vulnerable groups, transitional hospitality hostels for the homeless, day centres, child protection units, with the exception of persons with disabilities whereby each tenant may receive two visits per week, with
    the possibility of considering more visits on exceptionally necessary occasions.
12. The functioning of camping areas is suspended.
13. The entry and/or exit of any person into and from the centres for the reception, hospitality and detention of asylum seekers is prohibited, save the entry of newly-arriving asylum seekers. Provided that the entry into and/or exit from the said centres for workers shall be permitted as well as the exceptional entry and exit for humanitarian reasons following a permit by the Minister of the Interior.
14. Retail trade drink and food businesses (supermarkets, mini-markets, butcher’s shops etc) and pharmacies from their opening hour until 10 a.m. shall serve only persons above 65 years of age or with disabilities.

CATEGORY B – Emergency measures in force in the Districts of Lemesos and Pafos for the period from 12 November until 30 November 2020

1. The movement of persons is prohibited from 8 at night until 5 in the morning on the next day, with the exception of movement for medical reasons (to/from pharmacy, hospital) or for work reasons, by presenting the relevant certificate or documentary evidence.
2. The movement of persons from and to the Districts of Lemesos and Pafos, and also between the two Districts, is prohibited, except for the movement of those working in essential services, movement for a medical incident (by presenting a medical certificate), movement for the transportation of persons to and from the Airports of Larnaka and Pafos, as well as the Limassol Port.
3. Gatherings are prohibited in public places (parks, squares, water reservoirs, picnic areas, beaches, pavements and marinas etc.) except for exercise purposes, provided that their number shall not exceed two persons, excepting under-age children of the parents exercising.
4. Home gatherings are allowed with a maximum number of 10 persons per house, including under-age children.
5. Church services and other forms of religious worship in religious places take place without a congregation present.
6. Religious ceremonies are allowed (weddings, christenings, funerals) with a maximum of 10 persons attending.
7. The holding of lunch/dinner and any event for weddings and christenings is prohibited, other than a home event with a maximum number of 10 persons including minors.
8. The functioning of public and private Lyceums and Higher and University Educational Institutions shall be carried out remotely as of 16 November 2020. Preschools, Primary Schools and Secondary Schools (Gymnasiums) carry on their normal operation.
9. Public services (public sector, wider public sector and Local Government Authorities) will be functioning with the minimum personnel necessary for emergency issues and for the emergency needs of the public. Provided that exempted are those working in essential services, which shall carry on with their operation without interruption by observing the relevant protocols. Workers not employed in essential services shall work remotely by rotation.
10. Visits are prohibited to public and private hospitals, clinics, medical and diagnostic centres.
11. The functioning of catering establishments is suspended (restaurants, taverns, cafeterias, pizzerias, pubs, snack-bars, bars, coffee shops and catering areas in canteens or/and sports clubs, cultural circles, associations, societies etc) with the exception of services concerned with home delivery and take – away. Provided that only home delivery service is allowed after the lockdown hour. Catering areas inside hotels and tourist accommodation may function until 10:30 p.m. serving only the guests staying in their premises. The catering areas within Pafos Airport are exempt from the lockdown.
12.  The functioning of archaeological sites, museums and historical sites is suspended.
13. The functioning of open-air and indoor theatres, amphitheatres, cinemas and performance halls is suspended.
14. Popular markets shall function at 50% capacity on the basis of the relevant protocol.
15. Public transport shall function at 50% passenger capacity.
16. The functioning of covered shopping centres, malls and large stores with an area over 500 sq.m. is suspended. Provided that retail trade enterprises are exempt from the above arrangement.
17. The functioning of beauty centres and tattooing shops is suspended.
18. The functioning of hairdressing saloons and barber shops is suspended.
19. The functioning of gyms is suspended.
20. The functioning of Driving Schools is suspended.
21. The functioning of betting shops is suspended.
22. The functioning of casinos is suspended.
23. The functioning of swimming pools is suspended, with the exception of their use by persons with disabilities for reasons of therapeutic exercise or for training of up to four persons including the coach.
24. The functioning of gyms, swimming pools and spas inside hotels and tourist accommodation, serving only the guests staying in such premises is allowed.
25. Limassol Port shall function only for commercial transactions and activities. The boarding of cruise ships by passengers is prohibited.
26. The training and athletic events for persons under 18 is suspended.
27. The training and athletic events are suspended, with the exception of Premier League Championships and National Teams matches.
28. The functioning and use of organized sports installations is prohibited, with the exceptions which will be set out in a relevant Decree.
29. Group sports and social activities for children under 18 years of age are prohibited, as defined in the relevant instructions that have been issued by the Ministry of Health.

For any further guidance regarding this procedure or if you require an initial consultation, please do not hesitate to contact our Law Firm at [email protected], , +357 22 251 777 or +357 25 261 777 or please visit our office in Nicosia or Limassol.