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1651. 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....

1652. 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....

1653. Fraudulent scheme ‘unmasked’ by police

Two suspects are in custody in connection with face mask reseller fraud in Cyprus, after state authorities discovered free supplies with government barcodes being sold in local pharmacies...

1654. COVID-19 outbreak both a curse and a blessing

The coronavirus pandemic in Cyprus has come as both a curse and a blessing, as it forced authorities to move with unprecedented speeds toward a digital transformation, Deputy Minister for Research, Innovation and Digital Policy Kyriacos Kokkinos said Thursday....

1655. 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...

1656. 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...

1657. Tensions mount over plans for high-rises on iconic Nicosia street

After tensions mounted in recent days over plans for the construction of a high-rise building complex on the iconic Gladstone Street in central Nicosia which hosts historic and traditional listed buildings, the developers of the planned construction fired back on Monday, claiming the plans are in line with the town planning regulations of the Nicosia Master Plan....

1658. Zero new cases 'a utopia', Health Minister says

There’s no perfect recipe that’s been implemented across the world to get out of the lockdown successfully, the Health Minister said Tuesday, noting that we shouldn’t be concerned that we haven’t seen days with zero new cases, as that would be “utopian”....

1659. 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....

1660. Cyprus announces 'timid first steps' in easing restrictions

In a televised national address on Wednesday night, President Nicos Anastasiades presented the detailed plan of the first two phases of Cyprus’ lockdown exit plan, with the first phase, which will see a timid resumption of the economy and a small loosening of restrictions on individual freedoms, set to begin on May 4....

1661. President summons health team to Palace

President Nicos Anastasiades has called the government's team of health experts back to the Presidential Palace for face-to--face consultations, amid reports that the government is a day away from taking crucial decisions on easing Covid-19 restrictions...

1662. President: mistakes, complacency over Easter will mean restrictions drag on

Addressing the nation anew on Thursday, President Nicos Anastasiades said that this weekend, which marks the Greek Orthodox Easter, will test the island’s population but stressed the need for absolute compliance with restriction measures so that it can remain feasible to begin a gradual lifting of the measures as soon as possible....

1663. 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....

1664. Three movements per day possibly the first move in lockdown exit strategy

The expert group of scientists consulting the government in its efforts to curb the spread of coronavirus will be convening on Friday to map out Cyprus’ gradual lockdown exit strategy....

1665. No SMS needed in 'dire necessity' situations

Interior Minister Nikos Nouris clarified this week that the limit of one text message per day for exception-based movements during the pandemic does not apply to situations where going out is absolutely necessary...

1666. Euro zone ministers look for economy quick fixes

Euro zone finance ministers are likely to converge on Tuesday on three quick options to support the economy in the wake of the coronavirus epidemic, officials have said, with some discussion also of longer-term ideas to aid a recovery....

1667. Domestic violence cases continue on concerning upward trend

The coronavirus outbreak has brought about a disturbing surge in cases of domestic violence, with the 1440 helpline receiving over 2,000 calls between the date of the confirmation of the island’s first coronavirus case and March 31....

1668. Police clamp down on unjustified movements

Police in the Republic of Cyprus have been checking motorists and pedestrians for possible curfew violations, with 123 individuals found to be in violation of a decree on movement restrictions on Wednesday...

1669. SMS service 8998 back online

The SMS service 8998 was once again up and running on Thursday morning, with replies sent back almost instantaneously in both Greek and English...

1670. SMS service 8998 gets the axe

The SMS service, operated by the government to enforce movement restrictions amid the coronavirus crisis, was back up and running smoothly on Wednesday morning, while the President of the Republic has warned that a total curfew would be in place if people abuse the service...

1671. Persons travelling for permitted reasons to fill in a form or send SMS

During the partial curfew to be enforced at 6pm on Tuesday for three weeks, those wishing to leave their home or shelter for any of the reasons falling under the exceptions to the travel restriction must either fill in a special form or send a text message to 8998....

1672. President: Unnecessary travel strictly prohibited, violators to be fined

Addressing the nation on Monday night for the second time since the coronavirus pandemic broke out in Cyprus in early March, President Nicos Anastasiades announced that all unnecessary travel will be banned as of 6pm on Tuesday until April 13....

1673. Cyprus government: We are at a critical stage

A text message sent by the Interior Ministry and the Press and Information Office made the rounds on Thursday, warning that the island is “at a critical stage”....

1674. Repatriations cutting it close to flight ban

Hundreds of citizens have asked to be repatriated to the Republic of Cyprus, prompting the government to seek options to beat a universal ban on all flights that goes into effect on Saturday...

1675. Mixed signals in fight against coronavirus

There were no clear signals this week in the fight against the coronavirus spread in Cyprus, with more confirmed cases causing alarm and the government having to shift gears on many fronts...

1676. Doctors should be at state’s disposal in fight against pandemic

1677. Coronavirus hits Cypriot armed forces

Two high ranking military officers have tested positive for the coronavirus, while the entire camp of commandos in Stavrovouni has been placed under quarantine over a suspected case of a soldier...

1678. Cyprus wakes up to more coronavirus cases

More cases in Cyprus were confirmed with the novel coronavirus on Thursday, while new guidelines have been issued on both sides of the divided island...

1679. Turkish Cypriots close two crossings

Turkish Cypriot authorities have shut down two crossings on Thursday for ten days, following the latest developments with the coronavirus pandemic...

1680. Cyprus scrambles as WHO declares pandemic

The World Health Organization has classified the COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic, calling for “urgent and aggressive action” after the coronavirus spread in 114 including Cyprus and Turkey while Greece reported its first fatality...