Our View: Government will keep pushing restrictions as long as people accept it

It has become rather tiresome highlighting the lack of consistency and reason in the measures imposed, to restrict the spread of Covid-19, but it needs to be done if only to make the point that the government cannot do as it pleases with our rights, on the pretext of protecting public health. Every time a new raft of measures is announced, there is a new infringement of personal liberty, while the duration of previous infringements is extended, even when this is not justified.

The restrictions on movement were extended for the foreseeable future when the health minister announced the new measures on Wednesday and people would still need state authorisation via SMS to leave their house, even though this was to have been for three weeks. In addition to this, people are now barred from going for walks on the nature trails on the mountains, because last weekend too many had taken advantage of this small freedom and drove to Troodos. Now they are barred from going to the mountains as punishment for last weekend’s naughtiness!

On Wednesday health minister Constantinos Ioannou announced a decree that is another violation of personal freedom – the compulsory testing of employees of every business. Every week, 20% of a business’ workers have to subject themselves to a rapid test by state order. Does the state have the constitutional power to force a person to take Covid test? Not according to the UN Charter which clearly states one of the freedoms, related to the right to health, as the “freedom to control one’s health and body” as well as “the right to be free from interference.” Forcing an employee to be tested violates this right.

Government will keep pushing new restrictions as long as people accept this repression without protest. The tide, however, seems to be turning. After the latest announcements by Ioannou there was a strong public reaction. People not only felt they had been misled but also that the government had got its priorities completely wrong. The opening of schools would be delayed by a week and then only primary students and final year lyceum students would return. The rest would continue receiving a sub-standard education via distance learning for the foreseeable future.

Parents’ groups have been protesting and pressuring the government, because it has denied children of the right to schooling. Distance learning is an emergency arrangement that demotivates and alienates children. But the government will open the whole retail sector on February 8, including malls, but not secondary schools! Does this make sense? As much sense as opening hairdressers and beauty salons this Monday, ahead of all other businesses, but allowing only two people to visit the home of a blood relative!