Decrees over Takata airbag recall to be issued on Monday, 3 February

Cyprus will issue decrees on Monday, 3 February outlining procedures for vehicles equipped with potentially dangerous Takata airbags.

Minister of Transport, Communications and Works, Alexis Vafeades in statements on 2 February regarding the issuance on Monday, 3 February of the decrees for vehicle recalls, said a process is beginning to address a problem that has developed over time, and called on citizens and all involved parties to cooperate for their implementation.

A meeting took place on 2 February at the Ministry of Transport between the Minister and members of Parliament as well as political party representatives, following a request from the latter. In statements after the meeting, the Minister of Transport said that they discussed comprehensively the issue of recalls and the issue of the decrees that will be issued on Monday, 3 February.

Answering a question about any alternative transportation measures for the citizens who will be affected, the Minister said that the safety of the people comes first. "This is the primary concern, and we are moving in this direction as a priority. How all these people will be affected is, of course, taken into account as a secondary element in the equation," he said.

When asked how many cars are expected to be affected by Monday's orders, he said that there are approximately 82,000 cars in total that have been identified for recall due to Takata airbags. "These vehicles must go to the dealers to undergo the recall. This is the first fact," he said, noting that how all individuals with these vehicles are affected is something that "we will manage in the decrees" and this will be addressed in the decrees which will be announced on Monday.

Answering a question about whether the Police will conduct checks for the enforcement of the decrees, he said that the Police, where necessary, "are always on the streets, checking, doing what they need to do."

(Source: CNA)