in-cyprus 20 March 2020 -Edited by Bouli Hadjioannou
Health Minister Constantinos Ioannou has issued a new decree setting special hours at pharmacies and supermarkets for vulnerable groups, the latest in a series of measures to contain the spread of coronavirus.
Earlier today Ioannou had urged everyone to comply with rules to stay at home so as to break the chain of transmission and protect the old and vulnerable who are at most at risk for Covid-19.
The decree comes into force at 6 am on Saturday, March 21. Supermarkets and pharmacies will cater ONLY for the special groups from the time of their opening until 10 am. It covers people over 60 and the disabled.
The decree also covers quarantine facilities where all arrivals must stay for 14 days. It prohibits access to these facilities to anyone without the permission of the Health Minister or on duty at the facility from entering.
It also prohibits anyone without the permission of the Health Minister from approaching closer than one metre anyone who has tested positive for coronavirus, is quarantined or in self isolation.
It also authorises those shops still allowed to operate to extend their hours so as to prevent congestion, on condition that employees’ rights are not affected.
