An online dispute broke out on Wednesday between Deputy Tourism Minister Costas Koumis, and Famagusta district governor Yiannis Karousos.

The argument began after Karousos criticised the operating hours of pharmacies in Ayia Napa, claiming they do not align with tourism demands. In a social media post, he stated that while hotels were at full capacity during Easter and major sporting events took place, pharmacies remained closed under non-tourist schedules.

Karousos accused Health Minister Michael Damianos of failing to address the issue, stressing that Cyprus must demonstrate “seriousness and organisation” in tourist areas. He later suggested that Koumis had wrongly defined Ayia Napa’s tourist season as May to October, ignoring busy periods in spring and autumn.

Koumis responded sharply, accusing Karousos of political opportunism and personal attacks. He stated that pharmacy hours fall under the health ministry’s jurisdiction, not his own, and criticised Karousos for attempting to undermine him since his appointment.

The deputy minister also dismissed Karousos’ past criticisms of tourism performance, insisting that the sector’s success disproved his claims. He urged Karousos to focus on his current role rather than “spreading mud and lies”.

Karousos hit back, challenging Koumis to disclose whether his ministry had recommended extending tourist-season pharmacy hours to the health ministry. He defended his record, saying his proposals had aimed to improve tourism and that the Famagusta district government was functioning effectively under his leadership.

He also denied deleting comments and reiterated that the tourism ministry should have a stance on all tourism-related matters.

Later on Wednesday, the tourism deputy ministry came out with a statement of its own, reiterating Koumis’ point that the matter of pharmacies’ opening hours is a competency of the health ministry.

It added that “the issue is heading towards a final resolution”, saying that this “is the most important aspect of this specific issue”.

“Our position is that every visitor, like every citizen, should not be inconvenienced, especially over the supply of pharmaceutical materials, regardless of time period,” it said.

The health ministry then made an announcement of its own on the matter, saying that during the summer months in Ayia Napa, between May 1 and October 31, pharmacies operate with “flexible opening hours”, and that during the winter, between November 1 and April 30, “a sufficient number of duty pharmacies will operate on a daily basis with the ultimate aim of serving the public”.

It added that during the winter months, one duty pharmacy will operate every weekday except Wednesday, that two would operate on Wednesday and on Saturday afternoons, and that three would operate every Sunday.

“These decisions were taken within the framework of the ministry’s responsibilities and after intensive consultations due to the special conditions arising from the significant increase in population, due to tourism, within the bounds of the Ayia Napa municipality,” the ministry said.