Extraordinary measures aiming to prevent the spread of COVID-19 will come into effect on an island-wide basis on Monday and will be in place until December 13, a press release issued by the Health Ministry on Sunday said.

The measures were decided on Friday by the Council of Ministers and a relevant decree was issued by the Health Minister on Saturday. According to the measures, the movement of persons is prohibited from 9 at night until 5 in the morning of the next day, with the exception of movement for work reasons with the use of the Employee Movement Confirmation Form, or for movement to/from hospital, pharmacy, vet for emergency medical reasons.

Church services and other forms of religious worship in religious places, as well as religious ceremonies are allowed with a maximum of 75 persons attending, following the guidelines that have been issued by the Ministry of Health. Religious ceremonies are allowed (weddings, christenings, funerals) with a maximum of 10 persons attending.The holding of lunch/dinner and any other event for weddings and christenings is prohibited (other than a home event with a maximum number of 10 persons including minors).

The functioning of catering establishments is allowed (restaurants, taverns, cafeterias, pizzerias, pubs, snack-bars, bars, coffee shops and catering areas in canteens or/and sports clubs, cultural circles, associations, societies etc), with the exception of services concerned with home delivery and take -away. After 7 p.m. only home delivery is allowed.

The prohibition of movement of persons from and to the districts of Limassol and Pafos, and also between the two districts, ceases.

Visits are prohibited to public and private hospitals, clinics, medical and diagnostic centres. The operation of gyms is suspended. The operation of swimming pools is suspended, with the exception of their use by persons with disabilities for reasons of therapeutic exercise or for the training of up to four persons, including the coach.

The training and athletic events for persons under 18 are suspended. Gatherings are prohibited in public places (parks, squares, water reservoirs, picnic areas, beaches, pavements and marinas,etc.) except for exercise purposes, provided that the number shall not exceed two persons, with the exception of underage children of the parents who are exercising.