The Cypriot government decided to take new precautionary measures to deal with the coronavirus pandemic. The measures came into force at 6 am in the morning and will be valid until 31 December 2020.
The relevant decree issued by the Cypriot Ministry of Health states that the measures are valid throughout Cyprus and are imposed “due to the urgent need arising from the epidemiological data for the protection of public health, to deal with the spread of COVID-19, since, despite the measures previously taken from 1 December 2020 to 9 December 2020, 3,016 coronavirus cases were recorded.
Church services and other religious services in religious places of worship will be performed without believers.
Gatherings of more than two persons, excluding minors accompanied by their parents, at private and public places, such as parks, squares, churchyards and other religious sites, are prohibited. It is noteworthy that gatherings in houses are excluded as well as some other places outlined in the guidelines of the Ministry of Health.
However, up to 10 people are allowed in homes, including minors.
Believers are not allowed to attend church services and/or other forms of religious worship. It is noteworthy that a person or persons who oversee specific places of worship are responsible for the compliance of the measures.
Individual prayer is allowed in churches, mosques, and other religious places of worship, except during church hours and/or other religious ceremonies are allowed with no more than 10 persons present in the place of religious worship at the same time. Weddings, baptisms, funerals are also allowed with a maximum number of 10 people.
Finally, it is forbidden to hold meals and/or dinners for weddings and baptisms, as well as for any other events, except those that are held in a home with a maximum of 10 people, including minors.