Schools in panic mode over virus spread

Additional measures against the spread of the coronavirus took effect Monday in Larnaca and Famagusta districts, with officials concerned over increasing clusters in schools and experts warning other parts of the island could be next.

According to a health ministry announcement, new restrictions were placed on Monday for two weeks, where training and matches are forbidden for athletes under the age of 18 in all team sports, such as football, basketball, handball, and karate.

Afternoon sports activities organized under the auspices of the health ministry are also not permitted, while the new measures also called on more inspections on businesses in the two districts.

But after several days of news regarding coronavirus cases detected in schools, health officials also pointed to possible inspections according to local media that might include unannounced visits to schools to assess the level of compliance.

A government health official told state radio on Monday morning that cases in schools appeared to be imported from infections in other social domains, with asymptomatic students most likely getting infected outside school and then carrying the virus to class.

Reports suggested dozens of Covid-19 cases have been detected among students, while some clusters have already been detected in some schools in Limassol including a private institution that remains closed until October 15.