Cyprus Mail 15 March 2021 - by Gina Agapiou
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| Only one customer is allowed per two square metres |
Hospitality sector owners have called on the public to abide by the coronavirus measures at restaurants and bars as they started the preparations to reopen this Tuesday.
Following a three-month closure due to lockdown, the outdoor seating area of restaurants, cafés and bars are reopening on Tuesday, and owners have started the clean-up works and arranging their tables according to the social distancing protocols.
In his statements to the Cyprus News Agency, the head of the association of hospitality sector owners (Osika) Fytos Thrasyvoulou urged the members of the association and customers to comply with the regulations imposed by the health ministry to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
He added that since only the outdoor spaces are allowed to operate, some businesses that do not have an outside area will remain closed.
The fine for individuals who fail to abide by the protocols is set at €300 while for businesses the fines start at €500 with the maximum fine issued being €8,000, police said. The fines increase based on the number of square metres of the businesses and whether it is a first, second or third offence. Repeated violations may also be referred to the court, police added.
Customers must remain seated and wear their mask if they need to move around, Thrasyvoulou said. Staff will also be wearing a face covering unless they work in the kitchen.
Only one customer is allowed per two square metres, according to the health ministry’s protocol.
A percentage of employees will undergo a rapid test every week.
