I am aware that the whole of
humanity is living under unprecedented challenging conditions.
I am also aware that what
concerns us all, is how we can effectively confront an unprecedented
worldwide threat against the health or life, of our fellow citizens.
These days we are all hearing
that humanity is threatened by an invisible enemy. And this is true.
What is even truer is that the
more invisible the enemy is, the more visible its danger and terrifying
consequences are, if we ignore the warnings and measures.
We are in a war. A war that
does not call our children to arms in order to offer or take lives with
weapons. A war that can be only won, if we remain in our shelters.
We took a series of harsh and
strict measures; measures that have caused feelings of bitterness to some
citizens, while they have upset the everyday life, overall.
Unfortunately, despite the
measures, the sacrifices of thousands of employees, despite the sorrow
parents experience as their children are still abroad, attitudes of indiscipline,
lack of self-respect, of responsibility and solidarity towards our fellow
citizens are observed.
Attitudes that expose the
population overall, in lethal danger.
The scientific advisors of the
Government rang the alarm. If there is not full compliance with the
measures
and if we do not react immediately with further limitations, the consequences
will be asymmetrical for all citizens.
An out of control scattering of
cases will lead to the collapse of the health system, which, however
good
structured, will not be able to respond to the growing demands.
I cannot imagine that we may be
led to the incidents recorded in Italy or Spain, where doctors are
forced to
choose who will live and who will be left to die.
I wouldn’t wish any citizen to
feel that the life of their children, their father or mother, their
grandfather or grandmother will depend on circumstances resulting from the
disobedience and indiscipline of an inconsiderate minority.
Dear friends,
Taking into consideration what
we all hope, never happens, the incidents recorded and the consultation with
our scientific advisors, the inter-ministerial Committee which met today
under my Presidency, decided to authorize the Minister of Health to publish a
Decree with the following measures:
1. Ban on unnecessary
movement from 06.00 PM of March 24, 2020 until April 13, 2020, except:
- Transfer
to and from the workplace.
- Transfer
for the purposes of supplies of basic necessities from businesses or
shops whose
- operation is allowed and given that shipping is not
possible.
- Visit
to doctor or transit to a pharmacy.
- Visit
to a bank if electronic transactions are not possible.
- Transit
with the purpose to aid fellow citizens who cannot look after themselves
or to groups of people who must be protected, or who are in
self-isolation and/or in premises of compulsory isolation (quarantine).
- First
and second degree relatives going to ceremonies, such as funerals,
weddings and christenings, not exceeding ten people.
- Transit
for physical exercise or for the needs of a pet, provided they are not
more than two people and they remain limited in areas adjacent to their
residence.
Under all circumstances, all
persons moving about must carry identification and additional proof as to
the
purpose of their movement. Further details and the way of control will be
announced tomorrow.
2. Furthermore, as of 6 p.m. of
the 24th of March 2020 until the 13th of April 2020, the following places
will also be closed:
- Parks.
- Playgrounds.
- Open-air
sport spaces.
- Public
gathering areas, among others, squares, dams, excursion sites, beaches,
marinas.
3. All retailers shall suspend
their operations, except from the businesses that will be included in a
relevant Decree that will be issued within the day by the Minister of Health.
4. Open markets, bazaars and
itinerant sales are prohibited.
5. Work on construction sites
shall be terminated, except construction works relating to public utility
projects and subject to the relevant permission from the Minister of
Transport, Communications and Works.
6. It is prohibited for
citizens to attend places of religious worship, such as churches, mosques and
other places for prayer.
7. Prohibition of the custom of
"lighting a bonfire" with immediate removal of timber or other
materials already assembled for this purpose. The responsibility for
implementing this ban lies with the local authorities in cooperation with the
police.
I would like to make it clear
that the State will be relentless towards those who will violate or have
violated the state decrees issued to date.
In addition to any other
criminal liability to offenders, an extrajudicial penalty of EUR 150 will be
imposed.
Dear friends,
In order to support the effort
for the prevention and strengthening of the health system, the following
have
been decided:
1. Molecular testing for the
detection of coronavirus is extended in Clinical, Biomedical or University
Laboratories. Details will be provided in an announcement by the Ministry of
Health.
2. It has been decided to
utilize fourth or sixth year medical school graduates from Cyprus
universities as well nursing school graduates, as part of their practical
training.
3. Towards a more effective
prevention and treatment, the number of public health clinics in all cities
will be increased.
Dear compatriots,
I know that the above
additional measures will further affect the daily life of us all.
But I would also like you to
think about those who, apart from their daily lives, also worry about their
children studying abroad.
I wish to strongly stress that
I empathise with them, but I also wish to assure them that the State will
stand by them and their children.
This was, no doubt, a painful
but necessary decision both for their own safety and health and for the
entire population.
I assure them that as soon as
conditions permit, the decision to gradually repatriate those who wish to
return will be reassessed, with priority given to vulnerable groups.
Addressing the thousands of
employees and employers, small and medium-size enterprises and self-employed
who worry about the future, I convey the Government's determination to
provide substantial support.
Within days, with the
assistance of the political forces which I warmly thank, a set of measures
will be announced that will not only relieve but also create the prospect of
a return to the pre-crisis situation shortly.
In closing, I wish to express
my absolute belief that we shall succeed in this battle.
My faith and hope are sustained
and strengthened daily by the front-line heroes, who at this moment
are no
others than the health professionals and others who assist in the State's
struggle against the
visible dangers of an invisible, but not invincible,
enemy.
Dear friends at the front-line,
I express my heartfelt thanks and the thanks of the people as a whole
for the
work, perseverance and hope you give to us all.
Please, keep going. We are
grateful.
Fellow citizens, stay at home,
in your shelters, and we shall get through this.
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