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1321. Cyprus extends flight ban but has a plan

Cyprus on Monday extended a ban on commercial flights into and out of the country until May 28 as the government considers ways to restore the country’s tourism industry to meet an anticipated swell in demand from vacationers eager to escape coronavirus lockdowns...

1322. Schools in the north sit out rest of the year

Officials in the north say schools will remain closed through the end of the academic year, as debate in the south rages on over the government’s decision to gradually open public schools...

1323. Cyprus maintains positive streak as just two new cases emerge

Cyprus maintained its positive streak on Friday after just two new coronavirus cases emerged in the Republic after the testing of 1,957 samples for the virus, while no new cases were reported in the north...

1324. 20,000 coronavirus tests to target school staff and students

After news that schools will be reopening doors for students of all levels on May 21 sparked debate and concern among the Cyprus public, Education Minister Prodromos Prodromou said Thursday that a round of 20,000 coronavirus tests will be launched, targeting school staff and students....

1325. UNFICYP ready to facilitate discussions for easing of restrictions at checkpoints

UNFICYP said Thursday it stands ready to “facilitate and support” disscussions between the two sides of the divided island once efforts begin for the easing of restrictions at crossing points....

1326. As coronavirus lockdown eases, Cypriots still in limbo

Deniz Birinci had just hours to stuff her and her baby daughter’s belongings into suitcases and bin bags on March 16 before the two sides on the divided island of Cyprus imposed lockdowns to halt the spread of the new coronavirus....

1327. Lockdown brings striking drop in air pollution, energy demand

Pollution levels in Cyprus have plummeted as a result of restriction measures enforced amid the coronavirus outbreak, which brought a significant drop in traffic and electricity consumption, highlighting the benefits of pressing forward with sustainable transport and energy production solutions....

1328. Hopes high as Cyprus sees just two new coronavirus cases

Just two new coronavirus cases were announced on Monday after a pool of 1,490 samples were processed....

1329. 3,000 to be repatriated to Cyprus in May

Cyprus is receiving around 200-300 returnees from abroad on a daily basis, Transport Minister Yiannis Karousos said on Monday, noting that May is expected to see the repatriation of some 3,000 in total....

1330. Cyprus police pick up pace in spy van probe

The surveillance company executive at the centre of a high profile spy van case in Cyprus is expected to give a police deposition as early as Tuesday, with reports saying the former Israeli intelligence officer insists he never broke the law...

1331. Some 2.5 thousand to be repatriated in first weeks of May

Around 2.5 thousand Cypriot nationals and legal residents of the island are expected to be repatriated between May 1 and 15 from several foreign countries where they were left stranded after the international outbreak of coronavirus....

1332. President to announce Cyprus lockdown exit strategy

The eagerly-awaited government decisions on Cyprus’ lockdown exit strategy will be announced by President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nicos Anastasiades, in a national address on Wednesday night....

1333. More Cypriots ditch cash during pandemic

Cypriot consumers are increasingly turning to debit and credit cards as opposed to traditional cash payments for their daily needs amid the coronavirus pandemic, data by JCC payments systems show ...

1334. Report draws attention to migrant centres

A report published this week by Ombudswoman Maria Stylianou-Lottides takes stock of current conditions in migrant facilities in the Republic of Cyprus, pointing out medical challenges, problems associated with weather, and asylum issues...

1335. Greece extends lockdown until May 4

Greece will extend measures taken to stem the spread of the coronavirus in the country by one week to May 4 from April 27, government spokesman Stelios Petsas announced Thursday....

1336. Chloroquine hype begins to wane

More doubts over chloroquine emerged this week, with new studies pointing to high risks and a US top health official saying he was fired after being pressured to direct money towards the “game changer” drug...

1337. Coronavirus hits third migrant facility as Greece plans to ease lockdown

The death of a 101-year-old woman at Sotiria Hospital in Athens took Greece’s coronavirus toll to 120 on Tuesday afternoon....

1338. WHO: Coronavirus likely of bat origin, no sign of lab production

The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday that all available evidence suggests the novel coronavirus originated in animals in China late last year and was not manipulated or produced in a laboratory....

1339. Lockdown weighs heavily on Orthodox Christians during Easter

1340. President to address nation Thursday evening

President Nicos Anastasiades will be addressing the nation anew on Thursday at 6.15pm....

1341. New decree allows repatriation of all legal residents

By Thursday, a sum of 9,282 students abroad who chose to remain put amid the coronavirus outbreak had received a €750 government benefit, as promised last month....

1342. World remains cautious over chloroquine

The US Food and Drug Administration is a step closer to a potential approval of chloroquine for treatment against Covid-19, while more doubts over the drug’s effectiveness and concerns over lethal side effects continue to pop up around the globe...

1343. Coronavirus outbreak won't get in the way of completion of school year

The coronavirus outbreak won’t obstruct students from completing the school year, Minister of Education Prodromos Prodromou told CNA on Tuesday, noting that solutions will be found for graduates so that they receive an accredited leaving certificate allowing them to compete for positions at public universities in Cyprus and Greece....

1344. Greece’s Covid-19 death toll reaches 100

Greece’s death toll from the novel coronavirus has reached 100, after a patient at the capital’s Attikon Hospital succumbed to the disease late on Monday....

1345. Government revising price cap on antiseptics, masks

The government announced on Monday that it was revising the price cap it placed last month on antiseptics and surgical masks, as growing international demand is constantly bringing price fluctuations resulting in local shortages....

1346. 'We've learnt nothing' from euro crisis, ex EC president Juncker says

In an interview with Politico's Brussels Playbook, former European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has expressed his disappointment over the discord that emerged between euro zone countries in their attempts to come up with a joint response to the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic. ...

1347. Coronavirus cases reach 595, death toll remains stable at 10

31 people were confirmed positive for the virus in the Republic on Friday after an additional 819 samples were processed in labs across Cyprus, raising total coronavirus cases to 595....

1348. Supreme Court: public sector pay cuts during financial crisis constitutional

The Cyprus Supreme Court on Friday overturned earlier rulings by the Administrative Court, finding that cuts made to public sector employees’ salaries and pensions during the economic crisis of 2013 were in accordance with the Constitution....

1349. Health expert estimates Cyprus may be free of virus by early May

Health expert Leondios Kostrikis estimated on Friday that judging by the progression of the island’s coronavirus curve, we should be free of the virus by early May, though the timeframe depends on the effectiveness of the measures taken, the public’s response, and the elimination of imported cases....

1350. Government to spend €850m in direct support until June

The Cypriot government announced the extension of measures to companies and self-employed persons hit by the coronavirus outbreak until June 12, increasing direct support to €849 million or 3.5% of GDP....