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1411. 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....

1412. Students flock to schools, but many parents remain wary

As primary and middle school students returned to school classrooms on Thursday as part of the second phase of the relaxation of measures, Education Minister Prodromos Prodromou said that Cyprus as a whole has earned this ability to gradually return to normality, but reports signalled not all parents were thrilled with the idea of sending their children to school....

1413. Cyprus starting to feel normal again

People in the Republic Cyprus woke up to a new reality on Thursday, as the second phase of relaxed restrictions and ongoing health protocols kicked in following positive news in the battle against the coronavirus pandemic...

1414. Second phase of relaxation of measures kicks off on Thursday

Cyprus will be making an important step toward resuming daily life as normal on Thursday, when the second phase of the gradual lifting of restriction measures is set to kick off....

1415. Empty middle seat? Depends on which country you are flying in

In Thailand, you cannot have food or water in flight and must wear a mask. In Malaysia and Indonesia, the plane needs to be half-empty. In the United States and Europe, it’s not mandatory for airlines to leave the middle seat open....

1416. Divided Cyprus slammed over refugee pushback

Two dozen groups around the world have condemned authorities on both sides of divided Cyprus after 175 Syrian refugees were denied the right to seek asylum...

1417. Coronavirus picture remains positive as island braces for phase two

Cyprus maintained its streak of minimal new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, as just one new case was announced two days before the initiation of the second phase of the relaxation of measures that will see restrictions on movement lifted....

1418. Change of plans in return of students to schools

With less than a week left until schools fully resume operation on May 21 as part of the second phase of the relaxation of restriction measures, Education Minister Prodromos Prodromou announced Friday that not all students will be returning to classrooms, as per the initial plan....

1419. Greece assumes chairmanship of Council of Europe

Greece on Friday took over the rotating six-month chairmanship of the Council of Europe (CoE) from Georgia, in a ceremony that was conducted online due to public health precautions....

1420. 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...

1421. New rules issued for food and beverage establishments

With all restrictions on movement to be scrapped on May 21, when gatherings of groups of up 10 people will be permitted, the Health Ministry on Monday issued new instructions for cafes, restaurants and bars....

1422. V-E Day marked the turning point towards a democratic, prosperous, and peaceful future

Today is the 75th anniversary of the Allied Victory in Europe in World War II - “V-E Day.” This is a day to remember and honor the shared sacrifice, enduring commitment, and unflinching bravery of the Allied forces and the underground movements in defeating Fascism in Europe. We also remember the immense sorrow and misery suffered by so many, and we recognize the bravery and sacrifice of tens of millions of civilians in the Second World War....

1423. Minister keeps bus drivers on their toes

Transport Minister Yiannis karousos made an unannounced visit to a bus transit location on Friday to experience firsthand the implementation of public health guidelines...

1424. British woman dies in Paralimni house fire

A British woman was found dead inside her Paralimni residence on Wednesday, after authorities were called to the scene to extinguish a house fire...

1425. 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....

1426. Cyprus begins to emerge from lockdown

Economic activity in Cyprus was set to resume on Monday during an initial phase of easing coronavirus lockdown measures, but business is not as usual as the president of the Republic is calling on citizens to behave responsibly...

1427. 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....

1428. 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....

1429. Anti-vaxxer arrested over threats against expert

A local man in Nicosia was arrested on Wednesday after renowned virology professor Leondios Kostrikis told police he had received threatening voice messages...

1430. Police take good news with grain of salt

Police in the Republic of Cyprus say they remain vigilant during the pandemic lockdown, concerned that signals for a possible lift of restrictive measures could make people feel less obligated to comply...

1431. Latest data pave way to ease virus curbs

The government of the Republic of Cyprus got thumbs up from local health experts, paving the way for administration officials to take decisions as early as next week to start loosening restriction measures...

1432. Health Minister hopes restrictions scrapped within three months

1433. Turkish secret services target Greek refugee camps

Turkey has been conducting secret missions in refugee camps and other places in Greece to gather information about critics of the Turkish government and supporters of self-exiled cleric Fethullah Gulen, who have taken refuge in Greece, according to a publication by the Nordic Monitor website. ...

1434. Seventy lockdown violations in 12 hours

Seventy people were fined in the last 12 hours for violating lockdown rules currently in place to contain the spread of the coronavirus pandemic...

1435. Cyprus shaken by loud Easter fireworks

Nicosia was shaken by non-stop fireworks and police sirens on Holy Saturday, as Greek Orthodox Christians observed the first celebration of Easter at midnight amid a pandemic lockdown...

1436. EU says coronavirus tracking apps should avoid storing data on servers

Mobile apps to track coronavirus cases in Europe should keep as much data as possible on the user’s device rather than in a central server to best maintain individual privacy, an EU document says....

1437. Twitter unfreezes Chinese ambassador account

China's ambassador to the Republic of Cyprus was back online Wednesday night after Twitter unblocked his account following a two-day freeze...

1438. Police break up soccer match downtown

Four males from Cameroon were arrested on Tuesday in old Nicosia after police attempted to break up a soccer match, while two detainees were also accused of assaulting an officer and resisting arrest...

1439. '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. ...

1440. 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...