Police limit cars in Troodos square

Police say they will limit the number of vehicles allowed into or near Troodos Square, following reports of health protocol violations, in an effort to slow down the rapid spread of COVID-19.

The new measure, announced online over the weekend by Cyprus Police, said officers would be controlling vehicular traffic towards Troodos Square, allowing only a number of vehicles in the area at any given time.

Police issued a health protocol reminder after images online showed crowds of people walking along the sides of a popular strip in Troodos Square, with many cars stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic and people walking or gathering very close to each other.

State officials had clarified previously that visitors could go to Troodos Mountains during a partial lockdown only for “physical exercise” along nature trails, provided they adhere to health measures and protocols and seek approval in advance through the SMS Text Service 8998.

On Saturday alone, officers on the road strip in question cited 21 individuals for emergency public health law violations and issued 34 traffic fines, while four street vendors got citations for illegal operations.

Police did not say how many vehicles would be allowed in the area at any given time, but an official announcement said more patrol officers would be present to conduct inspections as well as make sure “only a small number of vehicles” would drive on the strip.