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Bakeries say sales down 60%

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Bakeries have seen a 60% slump in business compared to the same period last year, chairman of their association Lakis Savvides told CNA on Wednesday.

He said that as a result of the lockdown introduced by the government to contain the spread of coronavirus bakeries face insurmountable financial obstacles.

Asked to comment on the coronavirus cases found at a production unit of Zorbas in Aradippou, Savvides said that given that the company has 2500 employees it was statistically anticipated that there would be a case.

But he said the company has taken all the necessary measures, disinfecting the area and quarantining affected employees for 14 days in a facility it rented out in the Famagusta district.

And he assured that production of bakery items was such that the virus could not be transmitted through food.

“When you put a product in the oven at 250 C, there is no possibility that anything will survive,” he said.

He added that both the World Health Organisation and the Health Ministry have pointed out that the virus is not transmitted in food and that gastric juices destroy it.

Savvides said that bakeries were bleeding from the 60% slump in business and they were currently only open in order to serve the public.

Asked to comment on the fact that JCC figures show an increase in sales at bakeries, Savvides said this was because no one was using cash anymore.

“The government’s measures have destroyed us financially. Sales fell by 60% from one day to the other and there is a large number of employees to pay. If it wasn’t for the measures to assist us a little with salaries we would have closed from day one,” he said.

He urged consumers to shop without fear since all bakeries were strictly adhering to the protocols.

Announcement by A. Zorbas & Sons Ltd on 12 Covid cases

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