Leaving lock down in Cyprus

Like most of the world Cyprus has been in lock down since March.  It all happened quite suddenly here, first the schools closed on 12th March, and these were quickly followed by bars and restaurants closing on 15th March and airports and borders closed with exceptions for repatriations who had to go straight into government quarantine for 14 days. 

I was really surprised at the speed it all came about, it seemed like one minute people were sharing info on facebook with a list of European countries that were free of the coronavirus of which Cyprus was one, and then the next everything was closing around us. 

Towards the end of the week of March 15th,  there had been cafes and bars voluntarily closing,  I was watching the comments and the general mood on facebook as it started to change.  Some were being praised for shutting up and many were being judged and also slated for continuing to open,  it was even said that bars were trying to 'profit from a pandemic' - I thought they were just trying to continue to make a living and feed their families but I mainly kept out of the online 'discussions'.

I didn't believe that we all had to hide ourselves away completely,  just to be aware of the situation.  I woke up on Sunday 15th with a sudden urge to go our for lunch, to make a point that restaurants were allowed to open, and to support them. I also had a feeling it might be something we would not be able to do very soon! We went for an amazing Sunday lunch at Mojitos Bar & Grill and while we were there heard the announcement that everything was to close that evening. 

Pretty much everything else closed immediately afterwards, except for supermarkets, kiosks, pharmacies and petrol stations.  The start of the summer season and Easter holidays was fast approaching and we were all shocked at the turn of events and what it would mean for businesses this year as everyone was about to start work after a long winter.  

There were of course all kinds of arguments going on online, people judging left right and centre what everyone else was doing. Some going out cautiously, some not going out at all, and some meeting 'too many' people.  

We met with one friend and her son and walked and we saw my parents. I continued shopping as usual, the shops here were thankfully stocked as usual with very little signs of the panic buying and empty shelves we were seeing from around the world.  We continued going out but kept our distance from others, I walked a quiet stretch of beach path, and took the boys to play in the park and local football pitch all managing to do so in places I knew would be quiet and without seeing other people. 

However, there followed a very busy weekend with reports of packed picnic areas and beach bbqs, which was followed by a sudden and strict lock down. 

From the 24th March permission to leave the house was needed, to be obtained via text message (or printed forms for over 65's) and identification carried when going out.  Curfew was brought in from 9 pm until 6 am every day, supermarkets were restricting entry before 10 am to the over 65's and were closing on Sundays. 

Playgrounds were closed as well as beaches, marinas and any open space where people could gather. Benches along side the pavement were taped off to prevent use. 

Failure to adhere to the restrictions could land you with a €150 fine. 

It wasn't quite enough, as people found ways to flout the rules, and they got stricter. People were allowed out only once per day and the fines were doubled to €300.  Visiting other peoples houses was forbidden and only 2 people from the same household could exercise together. 

The number of COVID19 cases have remained low compared to other countries (as of May 20th there have been 918 confirmed cases and 17 deaths)  so it the swift and total lockdown worked in that respect. 

The exit plan was announced at the end of April and set out a gradual easing of the restrictions. From May 4th they would be relaxed to allow us to go out up to 3 times per day,  to be able to exercise with a maximum of two people excluding children,  and to be able to swim in the sea.  Most retail shops and many businesses reopened. High school students in their last year went back to school. 

From tomorrow,  May 21st all movement restrictions will be lifted.  Hairdressers and beauty salons can reopen, restaurants (outside areas only) and schools are reopening (many children are being kept at home for various reasons though).   Gatherings of up to 10 people are to be allowed either at home or on beaches, parks etc.  Leo is a happy boy as his birthday party can go ahead!

Beaches will reopen on May 23rd, brought forward from the original plan of June 1st. 

It will soon be a new normal for us, for now. It's great to be able to get our freedom back and to be able to see people.  There have been no definite plans announced with regards to the airports opening and allowing the tourists to arrive of course as that depends on many more factors, including what is happening in other countries.  That of course is a massive thing for so many here who rely on tourism, everyone is affected by the industry in some way or another but I just hope that people will stay positive and stick together (at a safe distance of course!) 

It's been a very strange time, with ups and downs, and while I know it's not quite over yet it feels like we are just about to step back into the world, I am relieved and excited to get on with it, but also don't want to forget this surreal quiet past ten weeks when the world turned upside down and we shut ourselves away to wait it all out. 

We have been very lucky and I am so thankful that we could all be together, and be safe and healthy.  It's been more boring than worrying for us and that is something I am very grateful for!