Search

991. Karayiannis: guarded quarantines might be required due to over-relaxation

The public must continue to show caution and to take all suggested personal protection measures, health advisory committee member Petros Karayiannis said Thursday, noting that the over-relaxation being observed in Cyprus must stop....

992. Ozersay: daily crossing of T/C workers as of June 22

The daily movement through checkpoints of Turkish Cypriots living in the north but working in the Republic can begin as of June 22, when the safety of the Republic’s move to reopen airports will be made clear, Kudret Ozersay, in charge of foreign affairs in the north, said Thursday....

993. New scheme to subsidize airlines conducting flights with low occupancy

Transport minister Yiannis Karousos on Wednesday announced a new scheme that will support airlines in view of stimulating passenger traffic....

994. UN calls on Turkish Cypriot side to clarify checkpoints situation

The United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) on Wednesday expressed concern over the “ongoing disruption” faced by residents of both sides of the island as a result of checkpoints remaining only partially open for specific groups....

995. With healthcare in focus, Cyprus reopens for visitors

Cyprus reopened its airports on Tuesday after almost three months of lockdown, hoping its record in dealing with the coronavirus pandemic and a pledge of free medical treatment for any Covid-19 cases will lure tourists back to its beaches....

996. 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...

997. EU issues '10 commandments' for safe travel

As EU countries gradually lift confinement measures, Europeans may be able to travel this summer, provided the health situation and national restrictions allow....

998. Cyprus enters third phase of new normal

Swimming pools opened to the public on Friday in the Republic of Cyprus, marking the beginning of the third phase of a plan to ease restrictions imposed due to the coronavirus pandemic...

999. UK tourists possibly to be allowed into Cyprus within weeks

Tourists from the UK are expected to be allowed to visit Cyprus within weeks, Deputy Minister for Tourism Savvas Perdios told Sky News on Thursday, noting that the Cyprus government is doing everything it can to ensure incoming visitors do not need to spend a period in quarantine....

1000. The growing complications of the reopening of checkpoints

The discussion for the reopening of checkpoints will be anything but an easy feat, as in addition to the role played by the epidemiological situation, the matter is inevitably being politicized in view of ‘elections’ set to take place in the north, but also in light of the UNSG’s report expected around the end of June....

1001. Government presses fast forward on relaxation of restrictions

The Cabinet on Wednesday gave the green light for the relaxation of certain restrictions faster than what was initially anticipated, given that Cyprus appears to have reacted well to the gradual lifting of lockdown measures so far....

1002. Cyprus scores Wizz Air base in Larnaca

Cypriot aviation scored a big win this week after Wizz Air said it would turn Larnaca airport into a base, as the island is trying to restore connectivity and the airline industry going through a hygiene makeover...

1003. Cyprus expects 600,000 tourists by August

The island is expected to receive some 600,000 passengers in August, Transport Minister Yiannis Karousos said Thursday, noting that this estimation includes people flying in on commercial and private planes....

1004. Cyprus to foot the bill for infected tourists

The Republic of Cyprus is pledging to cover all costs for anyone testing positive for the coronavirus while on vacation on the eastern Mediterranean island nation...

1005. Sir Stelios wages battle against board

EasyJet founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou had some harsh words to say about the company’s finance director, with the Greek Cypriot billionaire renewing his call to whistleblowers to help with useful information to scrap an Airbus deal...

1006. Republic of Cyprus starts its biggest engine

A new presidential address to the nation on Wednesday is expected to set the tone as the Republic of Cyprus is gearing up for the summer season but debate over health concerns and social distancing still rages on...

1007. Return to lockdown not likely, Karayiannis says

The health advisory committee is keeping a close watch on the consistent crowding observed since restrictions on movement were lifted on May 21, but committee member Petros Karayiannis said lockdown measures won’t be reinstated unless Cyprus returns to a state where around 30-40 new coronavirus cases are announced over consecutive days....

1008. Airports to reopen in two stages from June 9

Cyprus on Friday worked out the details of the resumption of its tourism sector, with the Cabinet green lighting a two-stage action plan for the reopening of the Larnaca and Paphos airports....

1009. Health advisory committee evaluating 20 countries for tourism protocol

With the Cabinet set to take concrete decisions on Friday regarding the gradual resumption of the operation of airports in mid-June, the Health Ministry’s epidemiological surveillance unit is evaluating a list of 20 countries from which Cyprus could receive tourists this summer....

1010. Empty middle seat? Depends on which country you are flying in

In Thailand, you cannot have food or water in flight and must wear a mask. In Malaysia and Indonesia, the plane needs to be half-empty. In the United States and Europe, it’s not mandatory for airlines to leave the middle seat open....

1011. Cyprus all set to receive tourists from June 15

The Deputy Tourism Ministry is all set to open the Cyprus tourism market as of June 15....

1012. Over 7,500 repatriated to Cyprus so far

Over 7,500 people have been repatriated to Cyprus over the last two months, Foreign Ministry spokesman Demetris Samuel said Monday, when three more rescue flights were expected to fly in....

1013. UNSG calls on two sides to cooperate on pandemic, opening of crossings

The leaders on both sides of the Cyprus divide received a letter from UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, who called for cooperation in dealing with the pandemic and in lifting restrictions at crossings....

1014. President seeks input ahead of big decision

A crucial event is taking place on Friday at the Presidential Palace, as the epidemiological taskforce is meeting with President Nicos Anastasiades to assess the situation on the ground and the next steps in easing lockdown restrictions...

1015. Turkey defends Larnaca-bound flight decision

Ankara says a Larnaca-bound plane never submitted a timely request to fly through Turkish airspace, accusing the Republic of Cyprus of using the pandemic to score points for political gain...

1016. Commission calls on Turkey to show solidarity without discrimination

The European Commission called on Turkey "to maintain a spirit of solidarity without discrimination", referring to Wednesday’s incident where Turkey denied a flight transporting medical equipment to Cyprus to enter its airspace....

1017. Medical supplies arrive after eventful flight

Another huge load of medical supplies from China was delivered to the Republic of Cyprus on Wednesday, after an “adventurous” flight on a Russian aircraft that did not have enough fuel to make it in one go...

1018. EU unveils guidelines for travel, tourism

The European Commission unveiled a series of measures aimed at ensuring people can start traveling safely across the continent again as governments try to revive tourism and airline industries brought to a halt by the coronavirus....

1019. Turkey forbids plane carrying medical equipment from China to Cyprus to enter air space

A plane chartered by the Republic of Cyprus to transfer 36 tonnes of donated medical equipment from China on Wednesday was forced to change course after Turkey prohibited the plane from passing through its air space, Transport Minister Yiannis Karousos said....

1020. EU pushes to unlock borders as coronavirus ravages travel