Filenews 16 December 2020
"The epidemiological picture, as assessed by the special epidemiologists, is such that it does not allow any further relaxation at this stage, but the issue will also be discussed at the next cabinet meeting," stressed the government spokesman, Kyriakos Kousios, after the Cabinet meeting.
The Council of Ministers, during today's debate, discussed, inter alia, the decision of the Holy Synod and the letter sent to the President of the Republic. As the government spokesman said, the decision of the Holy Synod on congregations in the presence of believers was discussed, among other things, and it was decided, that the matter will be dealt with at the next cabinet meeting.
The same decision was taken by the Council of Ministers on the reopening of shopping centres, as the request for a reopening with restrictions will also be reviewed next week.
As the government spokesman said: "the epidemiological team had expressed its views to the Minister of Health, who transferred them to the Cabinet and it was decided that the whole matter should be dealt with at the next Cabinet meeting next week. The same issue concerns department stores (Malls)'.
He also stated that "the Council of Ministers, at today's meeting, was concerned, inter alia, with the issues of the natural disaster, the tornado that hit communities in Nicosia province on 14 December 2020 and decided to exceptionally approve financial assistance to our affected fellow citizens.
The financial support concerns the granting of an immediate advance on the benefit of financial assistance of EUR 2 000 to all affected homeowners in cases where the dwellings have been found to have suffered financial losses, something that the Minister of the Interior has already announced during his on-site visit.
In cases where, when the loss log is completed, the estimate will exceed three thousand, up to three thousand will be paid immediately.
In cases where the amount of the loss assessment is in excess of three thousand, the graceful payment of EUR 2 000 will be approved and further assistance calculated at 35% of the total loss estimate will be approved.
It was also decided to set up a Committee in the Nicosia District Administration chaired by a civil engineer and composed of two other technicians to examine all applications submitted.
The Council of Ministers has also decided to set up a Committee of Objections to examine at second instance any objections from the decision of the Technical Committee.
The total amount to be allocated is estimated to be in the order of EUR 550 000.
The Council of Ministers also approved the extension of the management plan for terminated, expired or non-performing loans granted after approval by the Central Body for equal burden sharing.
On the basis of the Decision, the plan is being reconfigured to cover loans that were delayed by more than 90 days at 31 December 2019, as well as loans restructured by 31 December 2019.
Also, within the new design, the immediate repayment of the loan is extended to a period of six months from the date of approval of the request or for loans that have been terminated or expired or for which judicial or arbitral decisions have already been issued may choose one of the two previous options. This is to relieve borrowers and give them a choice of how to settle or how to pay the loan.
Source: eyenews
