Labour inspectors on Tuesday closed five building sites — three in Nicosia and two in Limassol — for failing to comply with decrees to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Shops and construction sites have gone back to work since yesterday as part of the first stage of the easing of the lockdown.
But there are strict rules for employees and scores of inspectors from the wider public sector and police have fanned out to check these are being adhered to.
Yesterday, on the first day of the new measures, the inspectors said they had found “satisfactory level of compliance” in retail businesses but in some cases there was no signage and no use of face mask.
The construction site inspections revealed a “low level of compliance” as there was no signage, no sanitary or cleaning facilities nor antiseptics.
The picture today was slightly better, head of the Labour Inspection Unit, Anastasios Yiannaki told CyBC radio.
He said that teams of inspectors had carried out 148 checks of constructions sites and 649 checks on retail shops.
The retail sector was satisfactory with some issues regarding signage and face masks by employees.
As regards the construction sector, he said that the situation was better than yesterday but inspectors had nevertheless closed five for non compliance. Issues included lack of signage, lack of hygiene and cleaning facilities and antiseptic.
In an announcement meanwhile, the Labour Ministry said that that inspections will be stepped up further.
“In cases there compliance is unsatisfactory, the inspectors will be obliged to impose the sanctions provided by law ( out of court fines, criminal prosecution and immediate cessation of operations,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, the head of the social insurance office for the Famagusta district in Dherynia was handed an out of court fine of 300 euro yesterday because the office did not have the necessary signage regarding the 2 metres distance rule, CNA reports.
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Labour Inspection Department checks 370 retail businesses, 95 construction sites for compliance
