Coronavirus: President slams Limassol scenes in address to the nation

President Nicos Anastasiades on Tuesday night criticised groups of people in Limassol for not complying with the Covid-19 health decrees, in an address to the nation.

“It is with great sadness that I am obliged to intervene in relation to the unacceptable events in Limassol and which are unfortunately hampering our efforts in dealing with the pandemic,” Anastasiades said.

He singled out the carnival gathering on Sunday in Limassol whereby hundreds of people took to the streets in defiance of the health measures.

“I have no intention of targeting my fellow citizens by what I am saying,” he said, “the facts are such that they speak for themselves.”

As he explained, the second largest hospital in Cyprus – the Limassol general – is already overfull while Limassolians account for 70 per cent of the occupied beds nationwide.

From March 1 until March 15, he continued, Limassol permanent residents accounted for about 90 per cent of Covid-19 deaths.

He also pointed out that during the past two weeks the district accounted for 2,788, or 61 per cent, of the 4,571 cases recorded.

“For the last time, before the epidemiological data forces us to take new strict and possibly local measures, I call on all my fellow citizens to realise that I will not allow the country, due to the reckless and unconscious behavior of a minority to suffer in its entirety,” he said.

While he stated his belief that we are close to the end of the pandemic, he said that he would not allow the reckless actions of a minority to endanger the entire country.