As many of you will know, President Nicos Anastasiades has announced the gradual easing of the lockdown starting from May 4. We thought it might be useful to post key points of the speech and details of the proposals for you to use as a reference during the current transition periods.
In a televised address, President Anastasiades said that the Council of Ministers had decided to end some of the restrictive measures which will allow a gradual return to an acceptable way of life without endangering what we have achieved. In his speech, he took a more positive tone but stressed the importance of the public’s compliance with measures going forward. “Any progress or danger of regression depends on everyone’s behaviour,” he said “I repeat that the danger has not faded. As the scientists reiterate, the coronavirus will be with us for a long time. The instructions are clear: We have to follow diligently the rules for hygiene, but also to follow faithfully the recommendations and the guiding lines of the scientific team and the competent Authorities.”
Any deviations or lack of discipline will not lead us, as we all wish, to the next stage but to the previous one. It will be back-tracking which nobody, but nobody wishes.
Below is an outline by date of the lifting of the ‘lockdown’:
Monday May 4
Economy
- No restrictions on the construction sector and related businesses
- Reopening of all retail shops except malls and department stores, subject to various rules regarding hygiene
- Reopening of farmers’ markets, open bazaars, again under conditions relating to hygiene
- Reopening of tourist and travel offices
Freedoms
- Citizens will be allowed three SMS a day for movement
- Curfew from 10 pm to 6 am
Personal fitness
- Exercise (walking, swimming in the sea, cycling etc) allowed in open areas, paths and paths within parks, provided only two people each time (not counting underage children)
- Parks and children’s areas remain closed
Public sector
- Full operation of public sector; return of all employees to work except for vulnerable groups as per the relevant list and those who have to look after children up to 15 years old. Both groups must carry out assignments given to them from home.
- This allows courts to resume subject to instructions to be issued by the Supreme Court
Education
- Last year of secondary school (public and private) will go back to class on May 11. The Education Minister will make announcements for the other levels of education. Pendingthe full operation of schools, tele-schooling will continue.
Sport
- Opening of sport facilities for high performance athletes on May 4, training of teams to be allowed from May 18
Public health
- From May 4 restrictions end and Dental Services re-operate
Religion
- Pray at church and other places of worship allowed provided there are no more than 10 people at any one time
- Decree for weddings, funerals and christenings remains
Thursday May 21
- All restrictions on movement to be lifted
- Freedom to use parks, play areas in open areas, squares, marinas, provided gatherings are not more than 10 people
- Catering establishments reopen only outside, based on strict protocols to be issued by the Labour Ministry
- Hairdressers, barbers and beauticians open
Monday June 1
- Church-going and other forms of religious worship will be allowed given that all health protocols are followed as will be defined by the MoH. The same will apply for weddings, baptisms and funerals.
- Access to and operation of organized beaches
- Ports to come into full operation with the exception of disembarkation of passengers from cruise ships
- Reopening of libraries, museums, archaeological and historical sites
- Re-operation of betting shops
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