Source: CNA

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People are also allowed to move freely in parks (but not in playgrounds), squares, marinas, as long as they remain in groups of under 10 people. Hairdressers, barbershops, beauty salons, massage and tattoo parlors are also reopening, along with restaurants operating outdoors. Gathering in outdoor restaurant areas will be also limited to groups of up to 10 persons.

As of May 23, Churches and other religious places will reopen for worship, in line with the relevant protocols. The same applies for weddings, baptisms and funerals. Beaches are also reopening, including organized ones, in line with the protocols issued by the Ministry of Health. Betting agencies also reopen on the same day.

From June 1 onwards libraries, museums, archeological sites, and ports (except disembarkation points for cruise ship passengers) are also reopening.

According to the Government Spokesman, the Ministry of Justice and Public Order will submit a bill for parliament approval, to increase penalties and out-of-court fines for business owners not complying with the relevant decrees and measures. Fines will increase in case the offence is repeated.

President Anastasiades calls on people to meticulously observe measures, decrees and protocols issued by the Ministry of Health, in order to ensure public health, Koushos said adding that the pandemic in not over yet.

Source: CNA

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The framework approved includes three stages covering a timeline until the end of 2021, Petrides said in statements to the Cyprus News Agency, urging everyone at the same time to respect the restrictive measures in place, particularly during the Easter holidays, so that the plan of restarting the economy can become realistic.

“Essentially, with the pandemic in progress and the economic crisis escalating significantly, quite a few EU countries are planning their strategy for a gradual lifting of restrictions,” he said, adding that the European Commission has also issued guidelines aiming for a gradual exit from a general lockdown, so that member states can coordinate to avoid a negative impact between them and in order for the single market to operate smoothly.

Petrides further underlined that “a healthy and functional economy is a prerequisite for a functional health system.”

The strategic plan contains three main stages, while the possibility of transitioning from one stage to the other is largely determined from the epidemiological data, he said.

The first stage has to do with the period of implementation of restrictive measures and the economy support scheme to deal with the COVID-19 repercussions, he noted, which has already been announced to a great extent.

The second stage has to do with the gradual opening of businesses which, if the epidemiological data allow for it, will gradually begin around the beginning of May in sectors of key importance for the economy in a coordinated manner which will not endanger the effort to contain the virus in Cyprus.

“Epidemiological data must be met for the gradual opening of businesses, for example the flattening of the curve of cases, the capacity of the health system and a systematic monitoring done by way of conducting a large number of tests,” the Finance Minister said.

According to Petrides another four criteria will have to be taken into account in determining the strategy in choosing the sectors for gradual lifting of restrictive measures.

In particular, the danger of COVID-19 infections, the danger of serious diseases due to COVID-19, the significance of the relevant economic sector and social life and the possibility of imposing and maintaining safety measures.

He further noted that the measures may change according to different geographic areas, groups of citizens, social life sectors and economic sector. The interdependence between businesses and the economic sectors as well as social interactions will also be taken into account.

The third stage has to do with restarting the economy and it covers the period between September 2020 and December 2021.

“The strategy must be flexible and adaptable depending with the epidemiological data, allowing for economic activity to take place without taking unnecessary risks in health matters,” Petrides stressed, adding that it will include supporting of viable businesses, measures in sectors affected the most, a growth of the digital technology sector and supporting those who will maintain more jobs, as well as stimulating demand.

Petrides also said that the Cabinet has approved the establishment of a ministerial committee, which he will preside over with the participation of Ministers of Health, Energy, Trade and Industry, Transport, Communications and Works, Labour, Welfare and Social Insurance and the Deputy Ministers of Research and Digital Policy and Tourism.

A steering committee will also be established which will be headed by a Finance Ministry representative as well as representatives of the other ministries and officers of the Ministry of Health’s epidemiological monitoring unit.

The ministerial committee, with the support of the steering committee, will prepare and submit the strategy framework as well as the action plan to the Cabinet by the end of April, he said.

Source: CNA

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Source: CNA

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