The 4 phases agreed by the Council of Ministers for the gradual lifting of the restrictive measures imposed in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19, were announced by the Minister of Health at a press conference on Friday, 1 May 2020. These are as follows:
Phase 1: 4 May – 20 May 2020
- Construction sector and all relevant economic activities.
- Retail trade – reopening of all the shops, except those which are housed within shopping centres/department stores. The days and the working hours of the shops will be defined by the Ministry of Labour, Welfare and Social Insurance and the Ministry of Health.
- Open markers, street vendors.
- Docking of cruise liners for supplies (without disembarkation of passengers or crew replacement).
- Replacement of crews of commercial vessels and transfer of private crafts to licensed locations for the purpose of berthing, maintenance and repairs.
- Lyceums: only graduates of state (3rd grade in Lyceum) and private schools in secondary education (as of 11 May). For the remaining grades in education, the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports and Youth will announce a relevant plan. It is understood that tele-education will continue until school units begin to operate fully.
- Planned surgeries will take place, based on the ceilings set out by the Ministry of Health.
- Dental centres/dentists’ surgeries.
- Use of open and outdoor sports installations only for athletes of high achievements who are included in the list of the Cyprus Olympic Committee, without the use of changing rooms, exercise areas or other related closed infrastructure.
- Training for group sports only in open spaces, without the use of changing rooms, exercise areas or other related closed infrastructure.
- Tourist offices and travel agents.
- Full operation of car wash facilities.
- Review of instructions regarding public transport (capacity up to 50%).
- Full operation of the Public Service and the wider public sector.
- Measures on Movement
- 3 movements per day, approval to be received by way of SMS
- Restrictions on movement between 10 pm until 6 am.
- Individual exercise is allowed in open areas, no more than two persons together (walking, tennis, swimming in the sea but not in public or private pools, cycling etc).
- Path walks and walks within a park will be open only for the purpose of individual exercise and no more than two persons at any given time.
- Gatherings will not be allowed.
- Under age children of parents who are exercising are exempt from this restriction.
- As of May 4 it is allowed to pray in church, mosques and other places of worship, provided that no more than 10 people are present at the same time.
Phase 2: May 21 – June 8
- Hairdressing salons/barber shops/ beauty salons (as of May 21)
- Catering services, only in open spaces (as of May 21)
- Libraries (as of June 1)
- Museums, archaeological and historical sites (as of June 1)
- Betting Shops (as of June 1)
- Ports in full operation (as of June 1), excluding for disembarkation of cruise ships passengers.
- Measures on Movement
- The obligation to send SMS will be discontinued as of May 21.
- Gatherings of up to 10 persons will be permitted.
- As of June 1, church services and other forms of religious worship in churches, mosques and other places of worship will be permitted, provided that protocols on hygiene, as determined by the Ministry of Health, are strictly adhered to. The same measures apply for weddings, christenings and funerals.
- Movement will be permitted in parks, open space playgrounds, squares, marinas etc., provided no more than 10 persons are gathered at any time.
- Restrictions on movement between 10.00 p.m. and 6 a.am. will be lifted.
Phase 3: 9 June – 13 July
- Shopping Centres/ Department Stores.
- Airports/Airlines, gradually and conditionally.
- Ports, services to cruise ships.
- Catering Services, services both indoors and outdoors.
- Hotels.
- Beaches: provided social distancing is adhered to.
- Open air theatres and cinemas.
- Gyms.
- Athletic competitions (without spectators).
- Summer courses of private institutions of tertiary education.
- Lifting of all restrictions on movement.
Phase 4: as of July 14 onwards
- Indoor theatres and cinemas.
- Festivals and concerts.
- Casino.
- Playgrounds both indoor and outdoor.
The Minster stressed that the gradual easing of the lock down will occur on the basis of the guidelines and protocols. It was also stressed that it will be subject to adjustments based on how well the island responds to the gradual easing of restrictions and will depend on the epidemiological data which arises after each step.
A summary of the gradual easing of the measures can be found here in English and here in Greek.
Where can employers and employees access further advice?
Cyprus Government – https://www.pio.gov.cy/coronavirus/en/index.html
How can we help?
We hope that you and your families are safe and well, and that you are coping with the impact of COVID-19 on your working arrangements.
As the situation evolves we are continuing to provide up to date and practical advice to help our clients prepare and respond to the the COVID-19 pandemic. We are available to assist employers with this and all workplace issues.
Theodorou Law is a Cyprus law firm with Cyprus lawyers and other legal experts on legal matters involving Cyprus law, EU law and international law. The above should be used as a source of general information only. It is not intended to give a definitive statement of the law.
If you have a query or wish to receive further information, please contact us using [email protected]
