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1411. EU to ease virus travel bans from July 1, but not to all

The European Union on Thursday announced plans to ease a ban on nonessential travel to the continent, with foreign students, non-EU nationals who normally live in Europe and certain highly skilled workers likely to be exempt from the coronavirus restrictions from July 1....

1412. 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....

1413. 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....

1414. 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....

1415. Bill criminalises prostitution in Cyprus

A proposed legislation making paid sex a crime in the Republic of Cyprus is drawing criticism, after the country’s left wing declared the female body is not for sale and cannot be bought...

1416. 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....

1417. Decision to postpone weddings until September 'political'

Though many were disappointed to hear that wedding and baptism ceremonies won’t be permitted to take place until September, and though the health advisory committee suggested these could resume from as early as June 25, committee member Petros Karayiannis said the government made the right move in taking the political decision....

1418. Health Ministry clarifies rules governing number of people at gatherings

After the Health Minister announced Wednesday morning that the 10 person rule governing gatherings would be scrapped at the end of phase three on June 24, an announcement issued later in the day clarified that we won’t be jumping into normality straight away....

1419. 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....

1420. 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....

1421. Some restrictions may be eased earlier than planned

The government and its health advisory committee discussed on Tuesday the possibility of relaxing certain restrictions sooner than anticipated, but final decisions are expected to emerge after the Cabinet’s meeting on Wednesday....

1422. 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...

1423. Cyprus hotels to offer attractive packages for locals

With residents of Cyprus likely to look for local holiday options this summer, the Cyprus Hotels Association said it will be offering attractive deals to locals....

1424. FinMin delves into details of 'new, more targeted measures'

Finance Minister Constantinos Petrides held a press conference on Thursday to delve into the details of the new bundle of economic support measures announced by President Nicos Anastasiades in a televised national address Wednesday night....

1425. President unveils new stimulus package

President Nicos Anastasiades announced on Wednesday a new set of measures to support tourism, businesses, and the self-employed workers that took a hit in the coronavirus pandemic...

1426. Greece to welcome Germans, Cypriots, Israelis in first wave of visitors

Greece will allow travelers from around two dozen countries including Germany, Cyprus and Israel to visit from mid-June without having to be quarantined, government officials said, part of a gradual easing of coronavirus lockdown restrictions....

1427. House passes bills mitigating pandemic repercussions

The House on Friday approved a wide array of bills, passing into law a wide array of bills seeking to keep Cyprus afloat as it is making its way through the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic....

1428. 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....

1429. Hellenic Bank sells its most expensive home

Hellenic Bank has sold its most expensive home according to a special report, with foreign investors shelling out 3 million for a mansion in Lakatamia...

1430. The four phases of Cyprus' lockdown exit roadmap

The Health Minister on Thursday gave a detailed overview of the four phases of Cyprus’ lockdown exit roadmap, which will be subject to adjustments based on how well the island responds to the gradual easing of restrictions....

1431. 'Better Days Are Coming' campaign calls on tourists to visit Cyprus

A new campaign launched by the Deputy Tourism Ministry promises that ‘Better Days Are Coming’, calling on tourists to begin making plans to visit Cyprus, where idyllic landscapes and crystal clear seas will be waiting to greet them....

1432. Greece condemns Turkey’s drilling intentions in Cyprus’ EEZ

Greece on Tuesday condemned Turkey’s announced intention to continue drilling inside Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ), saying it ignores calls by the international community to respect international law....

1433. Tax alert: Cyprus

1434. State suspends foreclosures for 3 months, requests 10% reduction in electricity fees

The government on Wednesday agreed to request from the Cyprus energy regulatory authority a 10% cut on electricity usage charges for a period of three months, in view of providing some breathing space as the island traverses the Covid-19 health crisis....

1435. Nicosia fatal stabbing investigation incomplete

A detained suspect in the fatal stabbing of a foreign national in downtown Nicosia has been ordered to remain in custody, as police investigators are still searching for another suspect...

1436. Support for solution widespread though many undecided, survey shows

Support for a solution remains strong, contact between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots is at its uppermost level and demand for economic contact between the two communities is high, the latest, the February 2020 Pulse survey showed....

1437. Christodoulides talks Turkish activity in EEZ, Varosha with UNSG

Foreign Minister Nicos Christodoulides met with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in Geneva on Monday....

1438. Cyprus police weigh in on match fixing

Cypriot police say they knew last year about a possible involvement of specific individuals rigging the Beautiful Game but could not act citing phone privacy concerns...

1439. Greece to speed up creation of migrant holding centers to ease tension

Greece plans to accelerate the creation of detention centers on its outlying islands in the Aegean Sea after a backlash against overcrowded camps by some migrants and nearby residents....

1440. CABS: Bird poaching remains 'out of control' in Cyprus

Crime against wild birds in Cyprus remains out of control, the Committee against Bird Slaughter (CABS) reported on Thursday....