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1531. Cyprus on alert over 'aggressive mutations'

Health Minister Constantinos Ioannou says chances remain that the Indian and South African mutations detected on the island last month may spread into the community, adding that vaccinations were the only way to stop the spread of the 'aggressive variants'...

1532. Cyprus confirms Indian and S.A. mutations

The Republic of Cyprus has been notified by ECDC that a number of coronavirus cases have tested positive for a mutation known as the Indian variant, believed to be twice as dangerous but others say not so...

1533. Legal battle heats up in golden passports

The top two chief law enforcers in the Republic of Cyprus are taking the parliament to court over a resolution, in which members called on the two officials to recuse themselves in the golden passport probe after raising conflict of interest issues...

1534. Official says no data privacy after death

Cyprus’ privacy commissioner says a recent decision by the health ministry to withhold vaccination history in reported COVID deaths could not be based on privacy concerns but 'possibly other reasons'...

1535. Four arrested in Limassol slaying

A man was killed during a violent incident at a residence in Limassol, with police making multiple arrests and investigators suspecting premeditated murder, while the main suspect claims self defence...

1536. Another setback for police in spy van case

The Supreme Court in the Republic of Cyprus has recalled a number of court warrants in the high-profile spy van case, saying the sworn affidavits by police were not up to par...

1537. Cyprus drops case against pandemic protester

State prosecutors have dropped a case against a protester who was being accused of health law violations during a demonstration amid pandemic restrictions, but the Legal department says constitutionality questions raised by his lawyer are still pending...

1538. Citizens not trusted with Covid self tests

Home test kits for COVID-19 are helping many countries detect infections while reducing long lines outside testing centers, but over-the-counter testing has not been incorporated in the Republic of Cyprus where officials remain reluctant over trusting private citizens with the results...

1539. New COVID death reports leave out vax history

The Health Ministry of the Republic of Cyprus has stopped reporting on the vaccination history in COVID-related deaths, citing difficulties over providing a full picture in each case due to privacy concerns...

1540. Minister defends laxer policy for tourists

Cypriot Deputy Tourism Minister Savvas Perdios says CyprusFlightPass is a sufficient tool for monitoring foreign travelers during their visit on the island, dismissing criticism that locals are having a harder time securing a CoronaPass to enjoy fewer restrictions...

1541. COVID still rampant despite improvement

There was some mixed news in Cyprus on Friday, after a National Surveillance Report showed COVID-19 still prevalent at high levels despite some improvement...

1542. CoronaPass tricky for some COVID survivors

People and businesses in the Republic of Cyprus were still waiting Friday for an official decree after Cabinet approval for a controversial CoronaPass, but COVID survivors with antibodies could have a hard time proving immunity after the health ministry said it would not accept self-test or home kits...

1543. Minister upset over video at vaccination facility

An increase in vaccine appointments was a welcome change of pace in the Republic of Cyprus this week, but the health minister had to call on citizens not to show up too early after reports of crowds in Limassol forming long lines out of fear that supplies wouldn’t last...

1544. Two Menoyia escapees apprehended

Two escapees facing deportation at Menoyia Immigration Detention Center were apprehended by police on Monday over a dozen miles away, following a large-scale operation including air support...

1545. Plans get blurry as Cyprus sees more deaths

Daily deaths due to COVID-19 hit a new record in the Republic of Cyprus, with seven hospitalized patients losing the battle on Easter Monday and health officials avoiding comment on what measures will replace the lockdown next week...

1546. EU makes move on vaccinated tourists

The European Union’s executive recommended on Monday that foreign citizens fully vaccinated against Covid-19 and those coming from countries with a good epidemiological situation be allowed to travel into the bloc without additional restrictions...

1547. All eyes on positivity rate after Holy Week

The positivity rate in the Republic of Cyprus registered a drop to just below 1% at the end of the holiday weekend, but officials say it is too early to know whether lockdown measures have been effective during Holy Week...

1548. Cyprus under siege as it celebrates Easter

Towns across the Republic of Cyprus were overrun with anarchists on Holy Saturday, when street fires and loud explosions dominated urban areas late into the night amid pandemic lockdown and midnight mass...

1549. Ministry issues reminder of Easter weekend exceptions

With Easter weekend around the corner, the Health Ministry issued a reminder on the small exceptions to lockdown measures for Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday, but called on the public to celebrate safely and in adherence with measures in place as efforts continue to lower daily cases and hospitalisations....

1550. Third lockdown brings new support schemes totaling €120m

New support measures to the tune of €120 million to address the effects Cyprus’ third total lockdown on employees and companies were announced by the Finance and Labour Ministers on Wednesday....

1551. Jam-packed day in Geneva underway

UN chief Antonio Guterres started his day with a full plate on Wednesday, with reports saying efforts could be made to draft a joint statement in Geneva despite the two Cypriot leaders reportedly painting different pictures of their priorities during the 5+1 meeting...

1552. Stars in Al Jazeera video face committee

1553. Cyprus reduces interval between AstraZeneca doses

Cyprus on Tuesday moved to reduce the timeframe between the first and second doses of the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine from 12 to eight weeks....

1554. Couple in child abuse to address court

The parents in a child abuse criminal case in Limassol will address the court next month, after the two defendants made no effort to contest evidence during the prima facie stage...

1555. Bishop’s mental fitness raised before rape trial

The lawyer for former Kition Bishop Chrysostomos, who has yet to be arraigned on rape charges, says his client is not mentally competent to stand trial, as more women speak out against the metropolitan...

1556. 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...

1557. 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'...

1558. 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...

1559. 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...

1560. Director wants passport probe clear his name

A civil servant, whose name was dropped by the former House speaker during a secret video recording by Al Jazeera, says he did not get involved with golden passports during his tenure as director of the interior ministry, vowing to take legal action if an investigative committee failed to clear his name...