Republic of Cyprus reopens airports

Flights resume Tuesday morning in the Republic of Cyprus, with government officials saying they are ready and optimistic about the bold move.

Five inbound and five outbound flights will take place at Larnaca airport on Tuesday, with the first arrival from Tel Aviv expected to touch down at 10:20am and the first departure taking off for Athens.

Flights will take place at the two international airports, starting in Larnaca and later also in Paphos, after a long break when operations were terminated due to strict COVID-19 measures.

During the recent outbreak, only a small number of flights were allowed mostly to evacuate stranded citizens abroad or to transfer medication and other supplies to fight coronavirus.

In an interview with Kathimerini Cyprus, Transport Minister Yiannis Karousos said “we are totally ready,” adding that the goal was to have an successful re-opening of Cyprus without negatively affecting public health.

Karousos, one of the ministers who spearheaded the resumption of flights int eh Republic, is set to visit Larnaca airport to welcome the first tourists.

An interim period until June 19 requires all passengers from countries on a special list to have a health certificate, while the transport minister told Kathimerini that inbound passengers who are citizens or lawful residents of the Republic of Cyprus may opt to carry out a mandatory test upon arrival.

Airport authorities have urged people to follow all self-protection measures against COVID-19 and to carry all necessary certificates. People who plan to pick up passengers must wait outside the terminal, according to recent guidelines.