Coronavirus: Unemployed may be brought in to carry out checks

A proposal has been put forth to hire unemployed people to boost those inspecting premises to ensure that coronavirus protocols are being adhered to.

The announcement was made on Monday afternoon, but details are scant but apparently seeks to hire jobless persons.

A health ministry spokesperson told the Cyprus Mail that it remains unclear as to how many people will be hired and the details will be worked out at a future cabinet meeting.

Asked who exactly the auxiliary staff will work for, the spokesperson said that it will depend which departments and offices require further assistance to carry out their checks. The personnel will be trained in accordance with whichever sector they are allocated to, the official added.

It also remains unclear whether the new personnel will be able to hand out fines.

The health ministry added that the proposed plan is to ensure that future flare-ups of the virus can be prevented as certain aspects of the coronavirus restrictions are lifted.

Police carried out more than 12,000 checks for violations of coronavirus protocols from Sunday until 6am on Monday and booked 172 individuals for breaches.

In total, 12,308 were carried out, 3,522 in Nicosia, 1,677 in Limassol, 1,590 in Larnaca, 1,096 in Paphos, 1,512 in Famagusta and 1,017 in the Morphou district.