Cyprus revealed a plan to gradually ease coronavirus lockdown measures and reboot the Mediterranean holiday island’s economy.
It is important to note that the resumption of businesses and activities will always be adjusted in strict accordance with the terms and conditions specified by the Ministries of Health and Labour.
From May 4th
The first phase will see the reopening of the key construction sector, as well as retailers and markets, though shopping malls will remain closed.
The public sector will go back to work, but under strict social distancing rules. Parks, marinas and playgrounds will remain closed until the second phase.
Under the lockdown measures, Cyprus residents are permitted to leave the house three time a day for limited purposes, and needed to obtain government permission via SMS for each trip.
A night-time curfew will remain in place, but the start time will be pushed an hour later to 10:00 pm (1900 GMT).
From May 11th
On May 11th school graduates of state and private schools in secondary education will return to school and education through teleconferencing will continue for all other educational levels until the full operation of school units.
From May 21st
All movement restrictions will be lifted.
Open-air restaurants, cafes and bars will also reopen from May 21, as will barber shops, hair salons and beauty parlours.
From June 1st
Cypriots will again be allowed to visit the island’s many beaches.
A ban on gathering at places of worship, which had been in place during Greek Orthodox Easter in mid-April, will also be eased.
Groups of fewer than ten people will be permitted in places of worship from Monday and religious services opened to the public from June 1.
The plan did not mention the reopening of airports and hotels.
A commercial flight ban has been imposed until mid-May, with only Cypriot citizens and residents allowed to enter the country and facing quarantine on arrival.
Seaports will operate again from June 1, but passengers will not be able to disembark from cruise ships.