COVID19: Cyprus President looking at ways to ease lockdown

Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades on Tuesday is meeting business leaders and trade unions to discuss ways the government can gradually reboot the economy after weeks of COVID-19 lockdown.

As coronavirus cases drop into single figures since the March 9 outbreak the government wants to start easing restrictive measures for certain businesses while maybe also easing free movement while applying social distancing.

The meeting at the Presidential Palace is expected to take stock of the situation so far, while participants will also discuss the prospects for reactivating businesses and the market.

Representatives from the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Cyprus Employers & Industrialists Federation, trade unions SEK, PEO and DEOK, as well as hoteliers are taking part.

The government said its actions will be guided by the scientific evidence and the President will be meeting health experts on coronavirus on Wednesday and political party leaders on Thursday before announcing any decisions.

Later Tuesday, Anastasiades will also hold talks with the technical chamber, developers, the association of large investment projects and building contractors.

Cyprus has been on lockdown since mid-March with all non-essential businesses closing and people told to stay home are allowed one essential journey daily while a curfew is also observed.