President Nicos Anastasiades on Tuesday said that the strict measures taken by the government were necessary to protect public health.

In a post on social media, the president said he shares the discomfort caused by the new lifestyle as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, but the strict measures taken by the government were necessary to protect public health.

“ I understand the reactions of a portion of citizens to the new measures of exceptional trafficking. I share the discomfort caused by the new lifestyle that has been imposed not only on us, but also on billions of people worldwide because of the pandemic ” he said.

Anastasiades said he viewed it his responsibility to take such “painful decisions” as he courageously did in the past, he said.

“ I assure you that I will not tolerate any abuse of power that will be without reason for the family asylum of every citizen ” the president said.

I prefer strictly to regret my decisions today than to deal with your pain and bitterness because from my timidity lost lives of your loved ones. With the same audacity that I have made painful decisions in the past, Anastasiades added.

The president ended on a positive note, saying as Cypriots overcame the financial crisis that hit the island on 2013, together we will win this battle as well.