The legal gap in the control of the sound emission from leisure centers, which was denounced last week by the mayor of Ayia Napa, is confirmed by a statement to "POLITI" of the Deputy General Director of the Ministry of Interior of Cyprus Kyprianou.
The law on leisure centers (audio broadcasting licenses) in force from 1/1/2017 can not be applied in many parts, because specific actions are required from ministries, departments and services, which in turn require time for studies and complex procedures.
At the same time, the law that was in force until 31/12/2016 has been repealed, with the consequence that the sound emission from leisure centers cannot be controlled by the competent authorities and the Police cannot make complaints to leisure centers, some of which broadcast music until morning and no volume restrictions.
Asked by the newspaper "POLITIS" to answer whether the Ministry of Interior intends to submit to the Council of Ministers and Parliament a bill to suspend the law on leisure centers (audio broadcasting licenses), as requested by local authorities, and to return to force of the law that was valid until December 31, 2016, Mr. Kyprianou answered in the negative.
He acknowledged, however, that the current law, passed in April 2016 following a bill by DISY's Kyriakos Hatzigiannis, cannot and will not be implemented until at least October, when the Ministry of Environment is expected to study the maximum permissible levels "outside the leisure centers, the specifications of the volume control bodies, etc." As a matter of fact, the law cannot be applied, "said the deputy director. of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, adding that the old regulations must be applied, meaning the provisions of the legislation that was repealed by law from 31/12/2016.
No restrictions
Ayia Napa Mayor Giannis Karousos insists the situation is very serious at the resort. He also claims that as tourism increases in the coming weeks the problem will become more acute and will concern other municipalities along the coast.
Commenting on Mr. Kyprianou's statements to "Politis", Mr. Karousos said that they cannot apply the provisions of a law that has been repealed by another law. He also stated that many owners of leisure centers have received legal opinions, according to which the current law is essentially inactive, as well as the law that was in force until 31/12/2016, therefore the affected are not bound by the provisions of either of the old law, nor of the new. Even the police can not make complaints due to the legal vacuum, said the mayor. "In fact, nothing is valid and everyone can play music until dawn," said Mr. Karousos.
Invitation to those in charge by the Mayor
The mayor of Ayia Napa invites through "Politis" to all those in charge to visit the resort to form their own opinion. "I invite everyone to come to Ayia Napa, to book them a night in a hotel to listen with their ears to the noise pollution caused in the morning and to realize the extent of the problem," said Mr. Giannis Karoisos.
He said that during the last season the prefecture set the time of interruption of the music transmission at 1:30 a.m. for Sunday to Friday at 1:45 a.m. for Saturday. With the new law, he added, which is inactive, music broadcasting hours are extended until 2:30 a.m. on weekdays and until 3:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Asked if a settlement can be made for this year between the prefect and the owners of leisure centers, with the involvement of the municipality, he replied that in the absence of legislation, the gentlemen's agreements are not implemented by everyone.
• For his part, the president of the breweries of Ayia Napa, Charalambos Alexandrou, told "Politis" that the new law put an end to many years of uncertainty but unfortunately, despite the many months given to the relevant services to prepare, they are not ready to enforce the law. "We are not responsible for this weakness", said Mr. Alexandrou and stressed that on their part they were subjected to expenses in order to be compatible with the law. He added that with the all inclusive implemented by the hotels, most tourists go out for entertainment after midnight and the state can not restrict the transmission of music until 1:30 am. "How will we live with an hour or two of music?" asked Mr. Alexandrou.
Source: POLITIS / Chrysanthos Manolis