Decision to postpone weddings until September 'political'

Though many were disappointed to hear that wedding and baptism ceremonies won’t be permitted to take place until September, and though the health advisory committee suggested these could resume from as early as June 25, committee member Petros Karayiannis said the government made the right move in taking the political decision.

According to Kathimerini Cyprus, the Health Minister and President Nicos Anastasiades both expressed opposition to the health advisory committee’s suggestion for the resumption of mass gatherings that in addition to weddings and baptisms also include concerts and festivals.

The political decision to postpone the resumption of such events until the latest date possible was correctly taken, Petros Karayiannis said, as the six new cases that emerged on Wednesday show that the virus is still present in the community, with mass gatherings proving too risky for the time being.

In statements on Thursay noon, Health Minister Constantinos Ioannou confirmed that high risk mass gatherings have been postponed until September 1, but added that the island’s positive epidemiological situation allowed the Cabinet to permit gatherings of up to 75 people outdoors and up to 50 indoors from June 24.

As announced after the Cabinet’s meeting on Wednesday, if the epidemiological picture remains positive, the number will increase to 75 indoors and 150 outdoors on July 7, before such restrictions are completely scrapped in September.

The Ministry added that the maximum number of people allowed to gather in a single space applies regardless of the size of the space.