A scheme to repatriate some 8,000 Cypriots stranded abroad continued on Wednesday as authorities announced they aim to bring back around 2,000 every two weeks, until the end of June.
According to recent decrees, the Cyprus government will be repatriating people who were abroad for health-related reasons and university students currently carrying out a foundation course or are in their first year of studies.
The repatriation program will also include Cypriots with health problems living abroad.
The scheme was dictated by the availability of quarantine beds at hotels who have signed an agreement with the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, and the possible effect on the health system. Capacity was increased to 2,000 from 1,000 beds.
According to the Transport Ministry, some 1,971 people are to fly from 15-30 April, 758 of them are students who fall into the above categories.
A Cyprus Airways flight is due from London’s Heathrow airport carrying 97 passengers on Wednesday night.
The flight will be carrying Cypriots and permanent residents who were stranded abroad as well as students.
Commenting on the repatriation process of Cypriot students, the Transport Ministry’s media officer Adonis Taliadoros told the Financial Mirror that priority has been given to students who belong to vulnerable groups.
The majority of flights, to be carried out, will be from the UK and Greece.
Students or citizens stranded abroad who wish to repatriate must submit their request on the web-based platform at connect2cy.com.
They will be prompted to state which date they would prefer to return.
Beneficiaries will then be informed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on which flight they can travel, but also on the cost and procedure to be followed after their return which provides for a two-week quarantine.
Finally, the airline will contact those interested in issuing the ticket.
All arrivals undergo a coronavirus test and are then taken to quarantine facilities operated by the state for 14 days.
Those who were abroad for medical reasons are allowed to go home but must self-isolate.
Despite Transport Minister Yiannis Karousos stating the cost of flights would be paid for by people flying back, those belonging to vulnerable groups who have returned recently were not charged.
“This was achieved, as two airliners Aegean Air and Cyprus Airways, have flown people back for free. The two airliners were supported by Hellenic Petroleum and Petrolina who fuelled the aircraft for free.
“As this has set a precedent, people belonging to vulnerable groups will not pay. However, other groups may be called to pay their share if they board a flight which is not sponsored,”
said Taliadoros.
He said the government is in constant contact with airliners and will be negotiating the cost of future flights.
Karousos had said that once the cycle of repatriation of first-year students and those registered with a foundation program has been completed, the way will open for all Cypriot citizens to return to Cyprus.
