Νumber of sms movement requests sent on Sunday increased

The number of the sms movement requests sent on Sunday to 8998 in Cyprus were increased by around 60 thousand, while the sms for physical exercise were also significantly increased. The vast majority of the sms movement requests sent were for shopping or getting supplies of essential goods and services.

In particular, the main reason for which citizens requested permission to go out, amid a lockdown aiming to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in place since January 10, was shopping or getting supplies of essential goods and services (category 2). The second most popular reason was for physical exercise (category 6) and the third one for any other reason that may be justified under the lockdown measures (category 8).

According to data released by the Deputy Ministry for Innovation and Digital Policy, a total of 449,129 sms were sent, out of which 430,265 were valid. Out of those 423,868 were approved.

The sms requests approved for going to a pharmacy, visiting a physician or for blood donation or laboratory testing for Covid-19 or for vaccination at the vaccination centres were 7,407.

The requests approved for going to a shop for essential goods/services, including take away were 167,411 and for going to the bank for transactions not available online 2,143.

For strictly necessary visits to public services or services of the wider public sector and local authorities 1,259 sms requests were approved and for helping people who cannot take care of themselves or people who must protect themselves or who are in self-isolation and/or in places of compulsory isolation (quarantine) 44,108 requests.

The requests approved for physical activity or individual sports in areas were access is permitted were 116,235 and for going to a ceremony (e.g. funeral, wedding, christening) of first and second degree relatives not exceeding 10 people or for individual prayer 4,401.

For any other reason that may be justified under the lockdown measures (by presenting the necessary proof for each case) a total of 80,904 sms were approved.

As of 5am Sunday, January 10, in order to move around for purposes other than to go to work, the public have to send a text message and get permission and can do so twice a day. Movement is prohibited from 21:00p.m. to 5:00a.m. of the next day.