Statement by AKEL C.C. Spokesperson Stefanos Stefanou

AKEL on the government’s protection measures against coronavirus

AKEL C.C. Press Office, 30th November 2020, Nicosia

The vast majority of citizens understand the danger from the pandemic and are implementing the public health protection measures with a high sense of individual and social responsibility.

What no one can accept is the contradictory and at times irrational decisions taken by the government, the selective severity demonstrated and the disproportionately severe repressive measures that it enforces.

It is incomprehensible that very strict decisions are being approved that in effect are financially destroying thousands of professionals, such as restaurants, gyms, etc., but in other cases, such as with regards department stores, malls and churches, where there is an overcrowding of people, other measures and standards are applied. Nor is it acceptable in a state governed by the rule of law for demonstrations are banned altogether and indefinitely or for citizens to be arrested for posts on the internet.

At the same time, we are still waiting for the government’s decisions to provide substantial support to public hospitals so that they can respond to the new wave of the pandemic. Since last May, AKEL has submitted 18 proposals to support the public health system, but the government has left the hospitals unprepared.

Citizens have been patiently taking on their share of responsibility for months to confront the pandemic. The government must at long last do the same.