Cyprus Mail 11 December 2020 - by Staff Reporter
Paphos Mall shopkeepers have asked the government to reconsider new, tough measure to contain Covid-19, arguing that the situation in their district permits relaxation.
They say that given Paphos’ public health situation, the mall and catering establishments should be allowed to operate.
New measures that include closure of malls and all food and drink businesses came into force on Friday at 6am, just as an embattled business sector was hoping to recoup some of the losses from a particularly difficult year.
The government says the additional restrictions, which are focused on areas where the public congregates, are essential to put the lid on a spike in new Covid-19 cases and hospital admissions.
But businesses object saying they are too sweeping and unfairly penalise those that have complied with health protocols.
Paphos Mall shopkeepers cancelled a protest they had planned for 8pm on Thursday outside the mall. A spokesman said they respect the decrees banning gatherings. But he told the Cyprus News Agency the government should reconsider the measures particularly for Paphos district.
Food and drink businesses say they are unsure whether they will ever reopen. President of the federation of catering establishments Phytos Thrasyvoulou said the situation for the sector in Paphos was particularly dire, given the tougher measures that had been implemented there and in Limassol last month.
President of the Aphrodite tourist shops Akis Hadjikyriakos told CNA that Paphos was again being victimised.
Thursday saw long queues forming at Paphos Mall as shoppers rushed to do their Christmas shopping on the last day before the decree came into effect.
