Some exceptions will be made, including going to supermarkets, pharmacies, beaches, parks and outdoor farmers’ markets where people simply will be required to wear masks and keep distances.
Health Minister Constantinos Ioannou said the easing of restrictions, which will begin May 10, is to “lift the spirits of the public after months of sacrifices,” without putting the public at risk by removing all restrictions.
The phased rollback of Cyprus’ COVID-19 lockdown restrictions includes a shortened curfew and a reopening of all schools next week.
For more reporting from the Associated Press, see below.
A strict, two-week lockdown has curbed the record-high number of infections, although some health officials had wanted restrictions to be slightly extended.
Ioannou said some restrictions will remain in place until at least the end of June, when authorities hope to have 60% to 65% of the population vaccinated.
As of next week, people no longer will need to secure text message permission to leave home. There will be caps on capacity at bars, restaurants, malls and parks that will be gradually increased from 30% to 50% over the next few weeks. Retail stores, gyms and hair dressing salons will also reopen.
Ioannou said the measures of showing proof that one is not infected with the virus will be “temporary” and authorities are working on a smartphone application to simplify the procedure.
Authorities said that one-third of Cyprus’ population of roughly 875,000 people have received at least one shot as part of a ramped-up vaccination program that’s seen as key to buoying the tourism-reliant country’s chances of attracting more vacationers.