Warnings and fines after nighttime inspections on businesses

TEAMS from the Girne District Governorate, Girne Municipality, Girne Police Department, Girne Environmental Accident Department and Girne Basic Health Services Department staged night-time inspection on businesses.

During the inspections, warning notices were given to workplaces that were flouting rules.

Six businesses were fined 38,128 TL in total for their non-compliance with hygiene, music and Covid-19 rules and five businesses had their operations suspended and were sealed off.

According to a statement released by Girne Municipality, the checks were made as part of tightened inspections due to the increase in Covid-19 cases.

Girne Governor Sinan Güneş and Girne Mayor Nidai Güngördü participated in the inspections with three different teams in three areas of the town.

Businesses’ pandemic measures, general hygiene conditions, music sound levels, music and alcohol permits were checked during the inspections.

During last Friday night’s inspections, that took place between 10pm and 2am, musical entertainment venues, casinos, betting shops, clubs, cafes, restaurants and taverns were entered and Covid-19 measures, employee PCR tests, health certificates, as well as alcoholic beverage permits, music permits and business permits were also checked.

Speaking on the subject, Girne Mayor Nidai Güngördü said that his teams will continue the inspections in a planned manner.

Expressing that the aim of the inspections is not to issue fines but to prevent the spread of Covid-19, Mr Güngördü emphasised that success will depend on the awareness of people and especially business owners.

Fines were imposed for rule violations and warnings were made that if the violations are not resolved then a “closure penalty” can be enforced, Mr Güngördü said.

Girne District Governor Sinan Güneş stated that due to the increase in Covid-19 cases in the country, they decided to tighten up the inspections by convening the Girne District Police Board.

Reducing cases through inspections alone “is impossible” he said and that the “awareness of citizens and business owners” is essential.