The participation of 40 members of the National Guard in the observance of the COVID-19 measures is purely auxiliary. The participation is necessary mainly due to the lack of human resources, owing to the increased duties of the Police, but also the fact that many Police members have tested positive for COVID-19.

This was stated in a written statement by Government Spokesman, Kyriakos Kousios, adding that military forces have been used to reinforce police forces in many European countries, including France, Italy and Germany.

“As the Minister of Justice and Public Order has stated, the participation of members of the National Guard, 40 people in total, in the observance of the COVID-19 measures is purely auxiliary and is mainly due to lack of human resources, owing to the increased duties of the Police, but also the fact that many Police members have tested positive for Covid-19,” he states.

Mr. Kousios continues by saying that “we consider that the reactions from both AKEL and others are not justified under the circumstances.”

Regarding the residents of the remote area of ​​Pyrgos Tillyrias, the Government, says Mr. Kousios, acted immediately to resolve the problem.

“As is known, the occupying forces, without any warning, demanded the presentation of a Covid-19 negative test issued in the last 72 hours before the crossing by the citizens who would use the crossing point in Kato Pyrgos. The issue was immediately attended to by the Minister of Foreign Affairs to the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General in Cyprus, while at the same time the Ministry of Health arranged for a team of nurses to be sent to Kato Pyrgos to examine and issue the relevant certificates,” he concludes.

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