The Mayor of Ayia Napa described in an article the decision of the Parliament to postpone the adoption of the Law on Noise Pollution, but also for the citizens of this country and their quality of life, "a blow below the waist for tourism".
For the third consecutive year, says Giannis Karousos in his article, visitors and citizens are forced to suffer from noise pollution, without anyone being able to intervene, in order to be controlled.
For another year, he continues, we leave tourists wondering why they can not sleep at night and get to the point of outrage even if the visitors themselves go to the police to report that they can not sleep.
These are, according to Giannis Karousos, humiliating incidents for our country. For another year we say to tourists: "sorry for the inconvenience, but I can not do anything".
"The same happens with the citizens, he points out, since until 3.30 in the morning they are forced to suffer from the percussive volume of the music. No matter how much they protest, they do not receive the slightest answer. Voices, complaints, tensions and zero solutions.
In a critical period for tourism, continues Giannis Karousos, the Parliament has been misled by interests and instead of choosing to give a solution - even problematic for some - chose to send the issue to the Greek calendars, instead of passing a Law to can control noise pollution, preferred the regime of lawlessness.
If there were, he says, differences on the Law, amendments and changes could be submitted to the session of Parliament. When in one country the legislature consciously chooses for an important issue to remain in force a regime of lawlessness, then we should all be concerned.
The current situation is known to everyone. There is legislation in force that cannot be enforced. The police no longer have any jurisdiction to control noise pollution and anyone can emit sound outdoors at any volume they want until 2.30 on weekdays and until 3.30 on Fridays and Saturdays. This state of lawlessness now enters its third year with the blessings of Parliament.
I expect the strong reaction of the most competent, the Ministry of Tourism, for this issue and to go on the counterattack, so that with serious and responsible decisions our tourism can be saved.
We left our tourism unprotected for the third consecutive year and we will pay dearly for it. For the third year in a row, we remain, perhaps, the only country in the European Union where the police cannot intervene to control noise pollution.
For the third consecutive year we undermine the quality of life of our citizens, but we also risk the most important industry in our country.
Citizens and visitors allege videos and complaints on social media to prove they can't sleep, hotels leave entire wings empty so tourists don't have to complain. On the other hand, the people in charge of the noise pollution, after seeing that no one is "touching" them, proceed to an incredible bullying audacity by sending earplugs to the complaining gift.
At the same time, I wonder what we will answer to the following complaints that we receive and I will inform you. "
1. From a resident and owner of tourist apartments
"Mr. Mayor, I would like to express my concerns to you about the noise pollution coming from the various recreation centers on Agias Mavris Street. Following the reform of the relevant legislation, which allows leisure centers to emit sound at uncontrollably high trends until the morning hours, it causes great inconvenience to us who live by the street, as well as to the customers of our tourist accommodation. Despite the fact that we are equipped with soundproof glass and the like, our customers are constantly complaining about the loud music that makes it impossible for them to sleep. Several times they leave early and some others ask for his money back, as a result of which our family business falls ill financially. Thank you very much, taking into account the above, as you take steps to find a solution to this problem, thank you very much. "
2. From a resident of the center of Ayia Napa
"Mayor, I am sending you a video which I videotaped on Friday, June 23, at 3.30 am. and which demonstrates the great noise pollution that takes place in my area and specifically in a building opposite my house. This is done on a daily basis and I wonder how an employee who has to wake up early in the morning can go to work to endure this crazy situation because unfortunately it is an outrageous situation that can no longer be endured. "
3. From the Citizen of Ayia Napa
"A big WELL DONE the time is 3.20 and the time 6.00 we will get up for work !!!!"
4. From a cottage owner in Protaras (The specific lady also published a video that showed a measurement of 85 decibels in her house).
"Again the same and this year to have a holiday home and our children can not sleep at night! Here is the proof με we measure at a long distance and it reaches up to 85 decibels… that according to legislation at 84 you need earmuffs ”
5. From the Citizen of Ayia Napa
"Mr. Mayor, we ask you to take measures to reduce noise pollution because our business and our family are affected"
6. From the Citizen of Ayia Napa
Good evening Mayor, the reason for the problem of noise pollution, where many fellow citizens are indignant and afraid to speak simply saying "yes yes you can say yes yes nothing". I'm sure you found out for yourself, but we who live in Kokkines still feel it. We can not sleep with the window open. Having confidence in your face, I am sure that the problem will be settled as it has done with so many other issues for the good of our fellow citizens, but the debt of our municipality, thank you. ”
7. From the Citizen of Ayia Napa
"It's been 2 hours since they hit the places, as long as they gossip about us at night, we still have them."
8. From the Citizen of Ayia Napa
"Where are you to come and listen, uncorrected donkeys, they came to us, an open-air disco."
9. From the Citizen of Ayia Napa
“Despair, who walks who? We do not know what to do, it is getting worse. "
10. From the Citizen of Ayia Napa
"It is impossible to sleep with such music. In fact, then the drunkards sing karaoke. I wonder how tourists sleep in neighboring hotels. ”
Parliament managed to hit "below the waist" for our tourism by postponing the passage of the law on noise pollution. What should we answer to our citizens and our tourists? #Karousos # Noise pollution #AyiaNapa https://t.co/HDVOYnBA7d
- Yiannis Karousos (@yianniskarousos) July 16, 2019