As part of the new measures of support to businesses and self-employed persons which have recently been announced by the Government of the Republic of Cyprus for the purpose of mitigating the financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Minister of Health issued the Infectious Diseases (Determination of Measures to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 Coronavirus) Decree (No. 3) of 2021 (hereinafter referred to as the Decree).
The Decree provides for the following in so far as it relates to rents:
- Businesses and/or self-employed persons under a full suspension of business activities by virtue of the Infectious Diseases (Determination of Measures to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 Coronavirus) Decree (No. 2) of 2021, including businesses and/or self-employed persons under a full suspension of business activities but who may, by virtue of the Infectious Diseases (Determination of Measures to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 Coronavirus) Decree (No. 2) of 2021, provide delivery and/or take away services, shall not pay the State or Organisations of Public Law the rent, as provided for by the lease agreements in force, corresponding to the months of January and February of 2021, and/or February and March of 2021 in cases where the rent of January 2021 has already been paid.
- The obligation of payment of 70% of the rent corresponding to the months of January and February 2021, and/or February and March 2021 in cases where the rent for the month of January 2021 has already been paid, which is paid to owners of immovable property for professional lease purposes by businesses and/or self-employed persons under a full suspension of business activities, by virtue of the Infectious Diseases (Determination of Measures to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 Coronavirus) Decree (No. 2) of 2021, including businesses and/or self-employed persons under a full suspension of business activities but who may, by virtue of the Infectious Diseases (Determination of Measures to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 Coronavirus) Decree (No. 2) of 2021, provide delivery and/or take away services, is temporarily suspended provided that the said amount is be paid in equal amounts within the next twelve months, i.e. by February 2022 the latest.
The Decree entered into force upon its publication in the Government Gazette of the Republic on 15/01/2021.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
