Cyprus announced new restrictions on Wednesday evening to fight a resurgence of COVID-19 after a rise in cases in recent weeks.
A curfew on movement from 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. started on Thursday and remains in force until November 30.
Cyprus introduced a broad lockdown in March that brought cases of COVID-19 down to zero or single digits before restrictions were eased. An uptick started in early October.
On Wednesday, the Mediterranean island reported 166 new cases, bringing the total number of infections to 5,100. There have been 26 deaths.
“The daily increase in cases risks spiralling out of control, which other than posing a threat to life threatens the healthcare system, employment and our welfare in general,” Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades said in a televised address.
In the mantime, Minister of Health Constantinos Ioannou clarified that dining areas will be allowed to stay open until 22:30.
Gatherings in homes or public places will be allowed, excluding the dining areas, with a maximum number of 10 people per house/group, including minors.
He also announced additional measures in the Limassol and Paphos districts, where the spread of the virus is higher, for the period between Thursday, November 5 and 16.
These include, inter alia, that all group sports and social activities of children under the age of 18 are prohibited (eg football, dance, swimming, martial arts, theater, choir, etc.).
Meanwhile, he said that games of sports championships of athletes under the age of 18 of the teams, whose home is in the Limassol and Paphos districts, are also prohibited.
He gave an example, saying that if a team based in the District of Limassol or Paphos competes with a team from the District of Nicosia, the match is postponed until the measures are lifted.
In addition, gyms and all playgrounds, in or outdoors, will have to suspended their operation.
