Cyprus is bracing for another lockdown as the authorities step in to contain a third COVID wave to halt pressure on the health service. Instead of relaxing some measures for Orthodox Easter on 2 May, the government could impose a short, sharp lockdown lasting for 15 days. According to media reports, the government is contemplating
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Cyprus saw the number of confirmed coronavirus cases surge past 900 again for the second time in a week, rising to 927 on Thursday and closing in on the record 941 cases on Tuesday, as the government ponders whether to introduce stricter measures in order to contain the spread of the virus. When 907 COVID-19
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In a bid to speed up its vaccination coverage to 65% of the population with at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, GPs can give people over 30 the AstraZeneca jab. On Thursday, the Health Ministry announced that GPs had been asked to contribute to vaccinating the population in a race against time. The
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Cyprus posted a fiscal deficit of €1.19 bln, which corresponds to 5.7% of GDP, as the government tried to borrow its ways out of the pandemic, the Statistical Service said on Thursday. Affected by the Covid pandemic, Cyprus’ public debt rose to €24.83 bln at the end of 2020, while the island’s GDP in current
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The Cabinet has delayed any decision on stricter COVID-19 measures until Friday, with the Health Minister reportedly proposing a new lockdown as daily cases remain stubbornly above 800. Ministers are undecided on the next steps before Greek Orthodox Easter as COVID-19 cases are at record highs putting hospitals under pressure. Reportedly, Health Minister Constantinos Ioannou
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Cypriots continue to shun AstraZeneca as just 10% of the 9,000 appointments booked by people aged 47-48 chose the COVID-19 vaccine. The portal opened on Thursday at 7.30 am and by 9 am, 9,000 bookings were mostly for Pfizer from the 13,900 appointments made available, the Cyprus News Agency reported. Some 8,030 Pfizer jabs were
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The Parklane resort and spa in Limassol, part of the Marriott ‘Luxury Collection’, has reopened in time for the summer season, after closing its doors on November 15 due to Covid-restrictions and the worldwide drop in tourist traffic. The resort operators took advantage of the closed period to upgrade their facilities and introduce stringent Covid-related
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Cyprus businesses feel more confident over future growth prospects but don’t consider climate change or cybersecurity as major threats, a PwC survey indicates. According to PwC’s Annual CEO Survey findings among Cyprus business leaders, 61% of the country’s CEOs are confident the global economy will grow over the next 12 months compared to a mere
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UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will host next week’s informal Cyprus meeting in Geneva, his first such event since the pandemic began a year ago. On 27 April, the Secretary-General will have bilateral meetings with the parties involved; there will be an opening reception. The second day begins with a meeting of the plenary. In the
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Deputies will be using Thursday’s final session before dissolving for fresh elections next month to pass a bill that defines and regulates state guarantees worth €1 bln for coronavirus-hit businesses. The bill provides state guarantees with low interest to cover loans given by commercial banks to businesses and self-employed and is expected to be voted
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