Coronavirus: Business federation says SafePass checks should apply to all businesses

The Cyprus Employers & Industrialists Federation (OEV) on Saturday asked President Nicos Anastasiades to apply the latest SafePass measures to all businesses whatever their size.

OEV head Antonios Antoniou said in a letter addressed to the president that the body fully supports the decision to tighten coronavirus measures which were announced on Friday.

While hearing about the government’s efforts to boost vaccinations via its new incentives scheme was a “great relief,” Antoniou said, Oev was concerned with the newest SafePass measures.

From July 20, a SafePass will be required at all indoor and outdoor locations where more than 20 people congregate, including banks, public transport and government buildings.

Antoniou said that this concerned OEV as it would not stop up to 20 people without a SafePass from gathering in spaces smaller than 200 square metres, and it was also unfair competition.

“We fear this will increase the spread of the virus, and the situation will spiral out of control,” OEV said.

“Offering exceptions to the SafePass rule will deepen social divisions created between businesses, staff and consumers, since any kind of exception will give some businesses a competitive advantage while disadvantaging others,” the letter continues.

“We hereby appeal to you to make the possession and demonstration of the SafePass mandatory in all areas where the public are served, without any exception.”

The new measures also give indoor venues the chance to only accept vaccinated clientele, allowing those that do so to host 450 people from 250. Outdoor venues that do the same will be able to host 500 people instead of 350.

In addition, dancing will be allowed only in venues where all customers have been vaccinated or have recovered from Covid.