Coronavirus: no special measures likely for Limassol despite negative picture

There has been no decision on special measures just for Limassol, the government said on Wednesday, following reports that the coastal town could see fewer relaxations due to its negative epidemiological picture relative to other districts.

Government spokesman Kyriacos Koushos said after a briefing of political leaders at the presidential palace, that the cabinet was expected to decide on Thursday on further relaxations of the measures against the spread of coronavirus.

Health Minister Constantinos Ioannou is to announce the cabinet decisions after Thursday’s meeting, Koushos said.

He made clear, however, that there would be no decisions specific to Limassol, which  continues to record higher numbers of cases compared with the other districts.

Τhe health ministry said last week that if it were not for Limassol, the epidemiological picture for the rest of Cyprus would be much better and the island could be deemed “green” – according to the criteria of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). This, the ministry had said, would lead to the faster lifting of more restrictive measures.

“In light of some reports, I must note that there is no political decision for special measures for the Limassol district,” Koushos said.

He added that President Nicos Anastasiades briefed political leaders that the cabinet would discuss further relaxations and issues concerning the pandemic. The health minister and the members of the advisory team on coronavirus thoroughly replied to all their questions, he said.

Koushos said March was considered a critical month as regards managing the pandemic and reiterated the government’s call for patience and the need for everyone to continue to observe the measures “to be able to control the pandemic and return to normality as soon as possible.”

He said that compared to other European countries, Cyprus has had the shortest period of restrictive measures and much better results in terms of mortality, treatment of patients and testing.