Cyprus: Facemasks made compulsory from July 31 /update 13

Event

Cypriot authorities announced that the wearing of facemasks has been made compulsory in public and commercial spaces, as of July 31, due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Health Minister Constantinos Ioannou announced that individuals that fail to adhere to the new measure may be fined €300 (353 USD).

Additionally, on July 31, 15 confirmed cases of the virus were reported in Limassol. As a result, Ioannou further announced that restrictions on gatherings in Limassol have been implemented, with no more than 10 people permitted to gather, while restaurants, cafe, and bars have reduced their capacity to a maximum of 75 people for indoor areas and 150 for outdoor areas.

As of Sunday, August 2, Cypriot authorities have recorded 1124 cases and 19 associated fatalities. Further international spread of the virus is expected in the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Since then, human-to-human transmission of the virus has been confirmed.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. Some patients may experience other symptoms such as body pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell or a rash on skin or discoloration of fingers or toes. These symptoms (in most cases mild) appear gradually. Generally, most patients (around 80 percent) recover from the disease without being hospitalized.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.