The Republic of Cyprus will impose from Thursday November 5 a night curfew on the entire territory in an attempt to cope with a significant increase in cases of the Covid-19 disease.
This curfew from 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. local time, initially imposed on the port cities of Limassol and Paphos, will be extended to the entire territory, authorities announced on Wednesday.
Bars, restaurants and cafes will also have to close at 10:30 p.m. local time.
These measures will remain in effect until November 30.
Read also: Early announcement of a curfew: a communication failure that falls at the worst time
On Wednesday, 166 cases were recorded in the Republic of Cyprus, a country of some 900,000 inhabitants and a member of the European Union.
In total, 5,100 cases have been identified since March, including 26 deaths.
At the end of September, the number of cases was 1,755.
Two-thirds of the total 5,100 cases have been registered since early October with a triple-digit number daily.
Previously, the number of infections had fallen to less than 10. Since mid-October, the wearing of a mask has been imposed outdoors after being only compulsory in confined spaces.
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The daily rise in cases can reach out of control, threatening the health system, jobs and the well-being of all,
" President Nicos Anastasiades warned in an address to the nation on Wednesday, urging his fellow citizens to respect the restrictions.