Coronavirus: Osika backs nightclub owners’ protest

The association of recreation centres (Osika) fully supports the planned protest announced by the Cyprus nightclub association (Pasyked), who say they have not received adequate state help during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Pasyked is a member association of Osika.

The protest is scheduled to take place on Wednesday outside the Presidential Palace in Nicosia.

Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency on Tuesday, Osika’s president Neophytos Thrasyvoulou said that the finance ministry’s intention is to support businesses for just 30 weeks this year, which will only cover around 50 per cent of most establishments’ annual income.

He also said that, for about 60 consecutive weeks, the members of his associations have zero income, which means that, especially this year, they have reported losses and accumulated debts because of fixed operating and commercial expenses.

“Most of them are having difficulties supporting their families,” Thrasyvoulou said.

“The industry is sending out an SOS to the government, as our members are facing evictions.

“We are calling on the ministry of finance and the President to support our category of establishments, which has been hit harder than others and remains stranded,” he concluded.