A 68 year old man with coronavirus had died, the Health Ministry said on Saturday as it also announced no new positive cases for the fourth time since the start of the outbreak on March 9. The ministry said the 68 year old man had underlying medical conditions and died at the ICU of Nicosia General Hospital on Friday night. The death is attributed to Covid-19 and brings the total number of deaths of patients who tested positive for coronavirus to 25. Of these deaths, 18 are attributed to coronavirus — 12 men and six women, with the average age of 71. As regards the number of cases, the ministry said that no new cases were recorded after 2,054 tests.
A total of 808 of Cyprus’ 958 coronavirus cases — or 86.5% have recovered according to the latest update released by the Health Ministry on Saturday. Cyprus has recorded 24 deaths, 17 of them with Covid-19 as the underlying cause of death. The infographics feature data up to June 4. Paphos continues to have the highest number of locally acquired cases per 100,000 of population with 132.8, followed by Larnaca with 121.8 per 100,000 population and Nicosia with 80.2. The Famagusta district had 51.9 cases per 100,000 population while Limassol had the least with 26.1.
Larnaca Airport reopens on Tuesday with five arrivals and five departures to and from Athens, Sofia and Tel Aviv as Cyprus takes a further step in easing the restrictions imposed as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. The Cyprus News Agency reports that the first plane will take off from Larnaca airport for Athens at 8 am. The first arrival is also from Athens, at 12.15. Departures and arrivals are also scheduled on Tuesday to and from Sofia and Tel Aviv, it added. Transport Minister Yiannis Karousos is set to visit the airport to welcome the first arrivals, CNA added.
Cyprus Deputy Minister of Tourism, Savvas Perdios, underlined that Cyprus and Greece send the message that they have successfully contained the COVID-19 pandemic, to tourists who wish to visit them. In an interview with the Greek radio station “Praktoreio FM”, Perdios said that Greece and Cyprus closely collaborated to draw up the hygiene protocols for their tourist industry, as well as to attract visitors from different origins. As regards the specific measures for the protection of tourists, Perdios stressed that the Republic of Cyprus has decided to cover the accommodation and healthcare costs for anyone who tests positive after traveling to Cyprus. “We have informed our partners that if someone tests positive in Cyprus, we will ensure everything”, Perdios said. He also referred to the collaboration of Greece and Cyprus to attract tourists from distant markets, such as China, Korea, and Australia. As he said, the good connectivity between the two countries is very positive for achieving this goal. He added that the two countries are jointly promoting their tourist product abroad, with the organization of joint travels by bloggers and opinion-makers, based on economies of scale and reduced costs. “This year represents an ideal opportunity for the visitors of Cyprus to enjoy the island with less overcrowding, and with high levels of hygiene,” Perdios concluded.
As part of efforts to prevent the spread of coronavirus, the Health Ministry has unveiled guidelines for the operation of gyms ahead of their opening on June 13. These set a maximum number of people who can be exercising in the gym — one person per 10 square metres — close changing rooms and saunas, set a distance between equipment and recommend taking your own water. In order to avoid congestion, the ministry recommends a booking system both for group sessions and at the equipment, with possibly setting a time limit for users.
