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1891. North draws criticism over virus declaration

Turkish Cypriot authorities declared the coronavirus a “dangerous infections disease” over the weekend, prompting criticism over the basis and timing of the announcement...

1892. Global coronavirus cases top 10 million; deaths surge past 500,000

The world surpassed two sobering coronavirus milestones Sunday -- 500,000 confirmed deaths, 10 million confirmed cases -- and hit another high mark for daily new infections as governments that attempted reopenings continued to backtrack and warn that worse news could be yet to come....

1893. Safety measures at Ayia Napa beaches up to par

Ayia Napa mayor Christos Zannettou joined the Cyprus deputy tourism minister Savvas Perdios on his tour around the area’s beaches on Thursday to check whether health measures to protect beachgoers from coronavirus are being followed....

1894. 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....

1895. 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...

1896. No new coronavirus cases leave total at 958

No new coronavirus cases emerged on Thursday when 1,996 samples were tested for the virus....

1897. 42 private hospitals join phase two of Gesy

The full rollout of the island’s universal healthcare system (Gesy) on Monday will take place with the participation of 42 private hospitals, with the Health Insurance Organization on Friday expressing its content after two large Nicosia hospitals, the Apollonion and Aretaeio, agreed to participate....

1898. Greece, Turkey exchange barbs over migrants

Greece on Thursday pushed back on criticism by Turkey that is violating the rights of refugees and migrants attempting to reach the country, saying Ankara has “instrumentalized human suffering”...

1899. Health services dealing with positive case at high school

The Ayiou Charalambous high school in the Paphos district Emba village, where a teacher had tested positive for coronavirus, remained closed on Tuesday while the premises were disinfected, and the state health services identified his possible contacts....

1900. Woman succumbs to virus, two new cases confirmed

Two new coronavirus cases emerged on Wednesday, while a woman aged 85, who suffered from underlying health conditions, succumbed to her coronavirus infection raising the coronavirus death toll to 17....

1901. Data shows Cyprus can move ahead with phase two of exit plan

Data collected so far on the island’s unfolding coronavirus pandemic indicate that the Cyprus government can move into the second phase of the gradual relaxation of restriction measures, member of the scientific group advising the government, Constantinos Tsioutis said Wednesday....

1902. 'Picture remains positive' as just two new cases emerge

Just two new coronavirus cases were announced during the Health Ministry’s briefing on Tuesday, with total confirmed cases in the Republic reaching 903....

1903. Need for transparency on COVID-19 public spending

The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe Parliamentary Assmebly’s (OSCE PA) Special Representative on Fighting Corruption Irene Charalambides, has called for the highest levels of transparency and good governance on COVID-19 related public expenditures....

1904. Six new COVID-19 cases bring total to 889

Six more people in the Republic of Cyprus tested positive for coronavirus on Thursday after a bulk of 1,774 tests were conducted, bringing total confirmed cases to 889....

1905. Greece pledges €3m, Cyprus €200,000 to Covid-19 vaccine fundraiser

Greece is among dozens of nations that will help bankroll research into new treatments and a vaccination against the deadly novel coronavirus, pledging 3 million euros to the cause during a fundraising event on Monday....

1906. Lifting restrictions signal progress, but concerns high over relapse

Health Minister Constantinos Ioannou said Wednesday that with the island moving toward recovering from the coronavirus outbreak, the gradual lifting of measures set to begin next week is a testament of the progress being made, but it also a source of intense concern over a potential relapse....

1907. 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....

1908. Outpatient clinics to reopen doors in a couple of days

Outpatient clinics at the island’s state hospitals are expected to reopen their doors to patients in a couple of days, with the state health services finalizing operation protocols to ensure the protection of patients and medical staff alike....

1909. Attorney general weighs in on casino probe

The identity of foreign companies suspected of embezzlement of EU funds pumped into a casino project in Cyprus remains unknown, with the island’s legal department clarifying there is no evidence of local companies being involved in illegal activity...

1910. First easing of restriction measures probably on May 4, Health Minister says

If the situation continues down its current course, we can expect the first loosening of restriction measures to take place on May 4, Health Minister Constantinos Ioannou said Friday....

1911. Full rollout of General Health System to be delayed three months

With state hospitals busy wrestling with the island’s coronavirus outbreak, the full rollout of the General Health System, initially planned for June, won’t be taking place until September....

1912. Cypriots told to 'mask up' this summer

The use of face masks is recommended but not required in the Republic of Cyprus, while Turkish Cypriots in the north are being told medical masks are mandatory during Ramadan...

1913. Coronavirus death toll rises to 13, confirmed cases to 790

The coronavirus death toll rose to 13 while cases reached 790 in the Republic on Wednesday after six more people tested positive for the virus from a total of 1,441 conducted tests....

1914. 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....

1915. Random coronavirus tests to begin within the week

800 random coronavirus tests to sniff out any asymptomatic carriers are expected to begin this week, allowing the government to make realistic plans for a gradual loosening of restriction measures, Health Ministry official Margharita Kyriakou told Kathimerini Cyprus....

1916. Cyprus confirmed cases drop to single digits

The number of new confirmed Covid-19 cases in Cyprus has dropped to single digits, following a long-drawn effort by authorities on the island to flatten the curve, but results won't be fully known before the month is over....

1917. Collective efforts paying off as 15 new COVID-19 cases announced

Coronavirus cases in the Republic of Cyprus reached 750 on Friday after the Health Ministry confirmed that 15 more had tested positive....

1918. Lockdown weighs heavily on Orthodox Christians during Easter

1919. 9 million masks arriving in the coming weeks

Some nine million masks will be arriving on the island within the coming weeks, the Health Ministry announced on Thursday....

1920. WHO: Vaccine at least 12 months off

The number of new coronavirus cases is steadily decreasing in certain European countries, including Italy and Spain, but outbreaks in the UK and Turkey are continuing to mark upward trends, the World Health Organization said on Tuesday....