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2131. Lockdown begins amid legal challenges

The Republic of Cyprus entered a two-week lockdown on Monday, the start of the Holy Week for the Greek Orthodox community, with critics crying foul over some measures including proof of vaccination...

2132. Cyprus scrambles on eve of third lockdown

Cyprus' Health Minister Constantinos Ioannou has announced a two-week lockdown starting Monday, including a revision for Holy Saturday midnight mass after Archbishop Chrysostomos cried foul over rules that were 'unacceptable'...

2133. Cyprus decides lockdown in Golgotha meeting

After a tough debate amongst ministers over how the government ought to respond to a deteriorating pandemic situation, a proposal for a short and partial lockdown was approved at the last minute after the Cypriot health minister ascended his Calvary to secure a lockdown ahead of Orthodox Holy Week...

2134. Cabinet split as measures gain on lockdown

The Cabinet is set to announce later on Friday a new set of measures to curb the COVID-19 spread in the community, as daily cases continue to rise with a situation in hospitals extremely alarming...

2135. Decisions on hold as Palace summons experts

The President’s Cabinet failed to reach a decision on pandemic measures following intense debate on Thursday afternoon, with reports saying an announcement was pushed back a day to give health experts time to visit the Palace for more consultations...

2136. US slaps ‘do not travel’ label on Cyprus

Health authorities in the United States have issued a “Do Not Travel” warning for Cyprus earlier this week, warning US citizens against visiting the island due to high level of COVID-19...

2137. Holy Moly ahead of Holy Week decision

The President’s Cabinet is expected on Thursday to announce a way forward ahead of Greek Orthodox Holy Week, with the health minister not favoring tougher pandemic measures but also warning a lockdown was not off the table...

2138. Greek Easter relaxation hopes put to rest

Cyprus’ current epidemiological situation is behind the government’s latest decision to freeze possible relaxation of restrictions ahead of Greek Orthodox Easter, with the administration focusing on vaccinations but also not ruling out further measures...

2139. Minister says Cyprus facing ‘fragile situation’

Cypriot Health Minister Constantinos Ioannou is urging people to comply with health measures, saying the epidemiological outlook in the country remains fragile and the situation could get out of control...

2140. Europe must get off the sofa

Everything we learnt from what took place in the presidential palace, and then from Brussels, reinforced the image of a weak, if not anemic Europe...

2141. Bicommunal health committee working on reopening of crossings

Authorities in the north have instructed the bicommunal technical committee on health to draw up a road map for the restoration of crossings to pre-pandemic conditions as soon as the epidemiological situation allows....

2142. More than half of Cyprus nursing staff opt out of jab

Less than half of total nursing staff at public hospitals have opted to get vaccinated against coronavirus, state health services organisation spokesperson Charalambos Charilaou said....

2143. Commission officially registers halloumi PDO

The European Commission announced on Monday the official decision for the registration of halloumi/hellim as a protected designation of origin (PDO) product, protecting it against imitation and misuse across the EU....

2144. 2021 KPMG CEO Outlook Pulse Survey

2145. Cyprus mounting efforts to get Sputnik V vaccine doses

Deliberations between Cypriot and Russian health authorities are moving along as the island is scrambling to ensure that it will get the desired sum of 100,000 doses of the Sputnik V vaccine as soon as it gets the thumbs up from the European Medicines Agency...

2146. Cyprus tourism hopes crushed as Jet2 pulls plug

Jet2 says it will suspend flights and holidays until at least 23 June citing uncertainty over London’s travel proposals, making the decision yet another British hit on Cyprus tourism expectations...

2147. Doc wants govt to come clean about AstraZeneca

A local well-known health expert has called on officials in the Republic of Cyprus to take a clear position on the AstraZeneca vaccine and stop hiding behind an EMA statement...

2148. EU court backs Czech Republic's requirement to vaccinate children

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) accepts the Czech Republic’s position on mandatory vaccinations for children, it said in a landmark ruling on Thursday that rebuffed parents’ complaints that the government violated their rights....

2149. Cyprus stands behind AstraZeneca vaccine

Authorities in the Republic of Cyprus have resumed the vaccination program using the AstraZeneca vaccine, after EMA said benefits outweigh the risks, with the health minister criticizing fellow member states for creating confusion by not sticking to plan...

2150. UK Minister talks Cyprus problem in Nicosia visit

The UK Foreign Minister for the European Neighbourhood Wendy Morton reiterated in a visit to Nicosia on Wednesday the UK’s full support of the upcoming UN talks on Cyprus. ...

2151. Economic activity could resume by spring end, Anastasiades says

President Nicos Anastasiades said Wednesday that he was hopeful that economic activity could resume by the end of spring, given that no unpredicted developments arise on the part of pharmaceutical companies....

2152. IMF: Withdrawal of support measures should be gradual

An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission met virtually with the Cypriot authorities from March 8–29, 2021 to discuss recent economic developments and policy priorities on the island. In an interview with Kathimerini Cyprus, IMF mission chief for Cyprus, Anita Tuladhar, said the longer the recovery period in sectors related to tourism, the greater the chance that permanent scars will remain in the economy of Cyprus. Tuladhar also noted the importance of state-sponsored programs to support the economy....

2153. Cyprus appears upbeat in tourism challenge

Cypriot tourism officials are finding several reasons to be optimistic following resumption of flights and easing of restrictions, but industry experts find it a little harder to put on a brave face...

2154. Cabinet approves €250m supplementary pandemic budget

The Cabinet on Wednesday approved a supplementary budget of €250 million to cover needs arising from the handling of the pandemic. ...

2155. Adoption of halloumi PDO by mid-April, EC spokesperson says

The adoption and publication of halloumi and hellim as a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) product is expected mid-April, Miriam Garcia Ferre, European Commission spokesperson for trade and agriculture said Tuesday....

2156. Borrell determined to carry out EUCO mandate on Turkey

President of the Republic Nicos Anastasiades said clarifications about the EU’s role at the informal conference of Cyprus set to take place in Geneva in late April may arise after the visit expected to be paid to Turkey by EU officials....

2157. Emotions run high as boy reunited with dad

A US-born child was reunited with his dad in Limassol on Monday, ten days after the Supreme Court gave the Cypriot mother a deadline to comply with a court order, with the handover taking place four years after she flew him to the island unbeknownst to the father...

2158. EU presidents to go to Turkey next week

The presidents of the European Council and the European Commission will meet Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan in Turkey on April 6, an EU spokesman said on Monday, in the latest sign of improving ties....

2159. Cyprus to ease travel rules from April 1

The Health Ministry’s epidemiological unit issued on Monday a modified risk-based classification of countries, with changes to come into effect on April 1....

2160. Kids get less invasive nasal swab tests

Rapid tests for kids including high school students will be less uncomfortable starting Monday, following a decision by health ministry officials amid criticism over discomfort experienced by youngsters during nasopharyngeal testing...