Police to step up checks, patrols amid holiday period

With the health ministry sticking to the plan despite the holidays, the police will be stepping up patrols and checks, even in private homes in the event of a complaint.

On Tuesday, the government extended current restriction measures until January 10, including the 10-person cap on gatherings, providing only some leniency with the night-time curfew on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, with the time shifting from 9pm to 11pm and 1am respectively.

In addition to boosting checks across the Cyprus road network, the police force will also be ready to follow up on complaints of potential violations of coronavirus rules at homes.

While police can’t enter private home without the consent of the owner, a relevant warrant will allow law enforcement officials to search homes.

Speaking to 24 news on Tuesday, the police spokesperson Christos Andreou said checks aren’t an end in themselves, but rather aim toward “the protection of public health and the public’s safety.”

On December 9, the police launched a new call centre where the public can report any violations of coronavirus decrees, that can be reached by calling 1460, 22606803 or 22606004.