Coronavirus: Restaurants, cafés expected to reopen as planned

The reopening of restaurants and cafés is still set to take place as scheduled on March 16, it emerged on Friday, despite an increase in daily Covid-19 cases and hospitalisations over the last few days.

President Nicos Anastasiades will meet the epidemiological team on Tuesday to assess the country’s epidemiological picture following a sudden increase in daily cases which have shown a marked increase over the last few days.

The meeting is expected to re-examine the relaxation of measures already announced, with restaurants and cafés expected to reopen and gymnasium students to return to class on March 16, the Cyprus News Agency said citing a “reliable source”.

“At the moment nothing changes until March 16. For the time being, the opening of the restaurants is valid, although there is an increase of cases and patients,” the source said.

Epidemiologists might also recommend further relaxations for the end of March, based on the epidemiological picture of the island, the source added.

It added the meeting on Tuesday is the best time for specialists to get a complete picture of the increase and whether it is of any concern.

But the fear of a resurgence of the virus following the reopening remains, the source added.

“It will be difficult to make changes. The pressure will be tremendous,” they said.

According to the same information, the epidemiologists are expected to suggest small relaxations until the end of the month, when vaccination coverage will reach 40-45 per cent.

Meanwhile, the ministerial committee is expected to meet on Monday to examine the issue of the reopening of restaurants and cafés as well as the protocol that is being prepared for the new way they will operate.

Restaurant and café owners have been demanding they be allowed to reopen since they were closed in December. They are currently allowed to operate for delivery, and take away services only until 9pm.