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With the hope that the week that begins will be the one that will bring them closer to normality, owners of restaurants and leisure venues who have recently been on the edge of their seats due to ongoing restrictions as a result of the pandemic.
As we all know, the discussion of a gradual lifting of restrictions is also opening up in Cyprus, if of course the epidemiological data allows it, as the Minister of Health told the CyprusTimes yesterday, at a time when the governments of several countries are taking decisions to abolish the measures.
As reported in yesterday's Cyprus Times Times, proposals concerning, among other things, restaurants and entertainment venues will be on the table for discussion, although this does not of course mean that decisions will be taken with immediate effect. Some of the experts, as we are in a position to know, are proposing free admission for unvaccinated persons, provided, however, that they produce a negative test. At the same time, the lifting of the ban on dancing is also on the table, which was also discussed at the last Hajipandela-Specialists meeting.
As in other countries
However, the owners of restaurants and entertainment venues are at their limits, indicating that many entrepreneurs were unable to cope with the restrictions of the pandemic and closed down.
"Many are the owners, especially of smaller businesses, who did not manage to survive, while others shouldered a heavy financial burden and were forced to make redundancies as they could not support their staff," Cyprus Times Constantinos Dimitriadis, founding member and spokesman of the association "Shield", tells the Cyprus Times.
At the same time, many workers, tired of the uncertainty caused by the ongoing situation, are leaving the industry and looking for jobs elsewhere.
"It must be understood that the problems that the pandemic has brought to us catering and leisure entrepreneurs are enormous and the road to recovery is a long one for us," says Mr Demetriades.
Mr Demetriades points to examples of other countries that have moved to completely remove restrictions, such as Britain, Sweden and Denmark.
"In other countries restrictions have been completely lifted and we are still discussing relaxations. We think it is time for the Ministry responsible to take the next big step, as the epidemiological data is improving and as the weather is opening up, which we think will help. Let Cyprus follow the example of other countries."
As he says they are in contact with other associations and are waiting for the new government decisions to come up with their next steps, not ruling out taking action.
The "Shield" Association was recently established in order to represent the catering, leisure and entertainment sector in Limassol in matters concerning government decisions, grants, loans and anything else that concerns entrepreneurs.
"The main purpose of the creation of the association is for the entrepreneurs of Limassol to have their own voice and through our actions to be informed about everything that concerns our businesses," he says.
"There is already a great response from entrepreneurs and we have registered 100 members. We invite all shopkeepers to join us in order to give momentum to the new association that will give a voice to our city and the problems we face", he concludes.
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs Cyprus Times
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or Cyprus Times
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