Cypriot ministers touch base on virus threat

The health minister says the Republic of Cyprus is prepared in case the coronavirus outbreak reaches pandemic levels, saying discussions on additional measures continues across different ministries.

Health Minister Constantinos Ioannou is expected to meet Wednesday with his counterparts from Interior, Foreign Affairs, and Justice ministries in an effort to coordinate further action in dealing with the threat of the CoVid-19 threat.

In addition to measures already taken at airports and sea ports, local media said the ministers will discuss additional measures at checkpoints between north and south on the divided island, in case the global health emergency turns into a pandemic.

In a press conference on Tuesday, Ioannou also said travelers arriving to Cyprus from countries identified as high risk locations for the novel coronavirus would be treated similarly with those arriving from China, which would include at least answering a questionnaire.

The foreign ministry has also called on Cypriot travelers to register their overseas trips voluntarily on a webpage designed to assist officials in locating, contacting, and providing consular assistance to Cypriot citizens, in case they find themselves in high risk areas.

The government says it will handle all personal information confidentially and in accordance with the Joint EU Crisis Preparedness Framework.

On Thursday, an announcement is expected regarding quarantine facilities in the Republic of Cyprus which would host suspected carriers for the duration of the incubation period of the virus, currently set at 14 days.

Reports said private buildings near hospitals or clinics were included on a short list of possible locations, following resistance from local residents in mountain communities, who protested against government plans to quarantine people in their area.