Black banners with the words “Shame and disgrace” appeared on the facades of more than a hundred restaurants in Limassol last weekend – so the owners of establishments protested against the quarantine measures imposed since Friday.

Recall that in the fight against the spread of the coronavirus infection, the Cypriot authorities have tightened quarantine measures – in particular, catering establishments across the island at least until the end of the year are not allowed to take customers. Only take-away or delivery service is allowed.

Owners of cafes and restaurants claim that they incur huge losses and are on the verge of bankruptcy, and call the measures “unfair and illogical”. Not all establishments are suitable by format and possibilities for profitable trade with take-away and delivery – often it is easier for them to close, than to work at a loss.

Kypros Kyprianou, head of the Cyprus Association of Entertainment Establishments (PASIKA) said that the owners of cafes and restaurants were left with no choice – they are not allowed even to protest by gathering for a demonstration. He said that the members of the association are waiting for help from the government, otherwise many of them are threatened with bankruptcy.