NICOSIA – Cyprus yesterday announced partial lockdowns in its virus hotspots on the Mediterranean coast and other measures in an effort to curb a spike in coronavirus cases.
The resort towns of Limassol and Paphos on the south coast are to go into partial lockdown from today until the end of November.
Health Minister Constantinos Ioannou said travel into or out of the towns will be banned, and a curfew will be in force from 8pm to 5am.
After keeping daily infection numbers low through most of the summer, the divided island has seen them rise to record three-digit figures.
The health system has started to feel the strain, with a dedicated Covid-19 hospital at capacity.
Whereas at the end of June, it had a total of 1,000 coronavirus cases, the figure has shot up to almost 6,500 in the second wave that is now gripping Europe.
Forty-nine of 68 patients in hospital with Covid-19 are from Limassol and Paphos, as well seven of the last eight deaths from the virus.
Hospitality and catering venues are to close in the two towns, and gatherings banned in public places like parks.
Primary schools will remain open, while higher and secondary education will operate remotely.
Museums, cinemas and theatres will shut until November 30 in Limassol and Paphos, and attending church is prohibited.
Shopping malls, department stores, hair salons, gyms and beauty parlours will also have to close.
In the rest of Cyprus, a curfew remains in place until November 30 from 11pm to 5am, while bars, cafes and restaurants have to close by 10.30pm.
Cyprus, which registered 165 new infections yesterday, has officially recorded 6,461 cases and 33 deaths. – AFP, November 12, 2020
