COVID19: Police catch 217 people flouting lockdown

Cyprus police have cautioned 217 drivers and pedestrians over the last 24 hours for violating restrictive measures to contain the COVID-19 outbreak.

A Police Spokesperson told CNA that the cautions followed 12,092 checks, between 6 am on Sunday and 6 am Monday.

Under strict social distancing measures Cyprus observes a curfew from 9 pm – 6 am daily while people are only out the house for one approved trip each day.

All non-essential businesses are also close while places of worship, the beach, parks and marinas are also out of bounds.

In Nicosia, Police checked 3,131 drivers and pedestrians and reported 32 of them, in Limassol out of 2,471 checks 60 were reported, in Larnaca 1,793 checks saw 53 cautioned, in Paphos from 2,347 checks 21 were caught, in Famagusta 941 checks found 29 violations and in Morphou there 148 checks and 6 violations.

Moreover, 975 checks were conducted by Police headquarters traffic division resulting in 10 cautions. The Police Emergency Response Unit also made 43 checks and reported 9 violations.

Also, out of 1,756 checks in premises, 9 violations were reported during the same 24-hour period.

Police said they will be stepping up checks for orthodox Easter week as restrictions are in place until April 30 at the earliest.