in-cyprus 31 March 2020 - Bouli Hadjioannou
Pet owners can leave their home with their pets without SMS permission provided they stay close by, Animal Party Cyprus said on Tuesday.
In an announcement, the party said that it had contacted the Agriculture Ministry on the issue after new rules came into force at 6 am which restrict the right to exit the house to one permit a day.
Exceptions were later given, including going to the doctor or pharmacy, but no reference was made to pets, to the dismay of dog owners.
The party said that pet owners can take their pet out for a walk or for their toilet needs without having to send an SMS provided they remain close and around their house.
This is not restricted to one time a day, it added.
Pet owners must carry their ID with them.
And from the Cyprus Mail 31 March:
After a communication with the minister of agriculture Costas Kades, the animal party said citizens who own a pet can take their animals for walks more than once per day, without sending a text to 8998, provided they stay close to home.
“Proof of the citizen’s movement with their pet is the ID of the citizen, who must have it with them” the party said.
Health Minister Costantinos Ioannou on Monday put further restrictions on citizens movement, allowing only one exit per day starting Tuesday at 6am as a safety measure against the spreading of the new coronavirus.
Pet owners have been concerned about their animals since the measures were announced.
The Animal Party said this new arrangement with the minister concerns only dog owners.
Owners of horses or donkeys who also need to walk them daily, or those who keep their dogs in other areas not close to their residences, are urged to contact the Animal Party at 70078080 and in their turn they will take the matter to the agriculture ministry for special arrangements.
