Cyprus on Monday reopened high schools, gyms, pools, dance academies and art galleries in a further, slow but steady easing of the country’s second nationwide Covid-19 lockdown.
However, the twice-daily excursions requiring SMS approval and a 9:00pm-5:00am curfew remain in effect.
Afterall, health authorities have made clear the easing of the six-week-old lockdown should proceed in a controlled manner.
They also keep warning that the situation could easily get out of hand again as the country’s infection rate remains slightly above safety limits set by the European Union’s disease prevention agency.
Middle school students are scheduled to return to classrooms March 8, signalling the reopening of all schools after weeks of online instruction.
Nonetheless, a ban on public gatherings also continues to apply despite growing public fatigue that culminated with thousands demonstrating last month in the capital of Nicosia and in coastal Limassol to protest the restrictions, along with corruption.
An overzealous response by anti-riot police sparked additional public condemnation which lasted for weeks.
