Cyprus on Saturday recorded no new coronavirus cases for the first time since the start of the outbreak here several weeks ago. In an announcement, the Health Ministry said there were no new Covid-19 cases today after 2,414 tests. This means the total number of cases remains 927. Health Minister Constantinos Ioannou marked the news with a message on Twitter. “Since March 9 when the first 2 positive cases were found in Cyprus, today is the first time that we do not have a new case. The result is no coincidence. The efforts of one and all are paying off. We continue with the same determination,” he wrote.
Limassol has by far the fewest number of locally-acquired coronavirus cases per 100,000 of the population according to the latest infographics issued by the Health Ministry’s Epidemiological Surveillance Unit. The data, updated to May 21, shows that Limassol had 24.9 positive coronavirus cases per 100,000 of the population. Paphos has the most with 130.7 per 100,000 of the population. Larnaca had the second highest with 118.4 per 100,000 population, Nicosia had the third highest with 77.0 and Famagusta had 47.7 per 100,000 population.
Monday, May 25 says the doing away of the 14 day quarantine for Cypriots return from abroad, if negative for Covid-19, said the Transport ministry, noting that people will first be bused to hotels by the ministry, but will then have to make their own arrangements to get home, where they must remain in self quarantine. Clarifying on an announcement made last night. the ministry says that people already being hosted in hotels following their arrival from abroad, are free as of Monday to go home, if they are negative, and remain in self-quarantine, for the rest of the days that remain depending on the quarantine category for the country they came from. It is clarified that transportation to their homes will take place from his family or through an arrangement of the people who are being hosted at the hotels. If this is not possible for some people, the Transport ministry, will arrange, on Monday, May 25, from 12 to 1 noon, for buses to carry people who are living in another district, from where their hotels are to the central bus station of the district they are being hosted in. On airport arrangements, as of Tuesday, May 26, Cypriots returning from abroad will be initially bused from the airport to hotels by the Transport Ministry. From there on, the transport to their homes, will be undertaken by themselves, or through arrangements with their relatives.
The lifting of movement restrictions in Cyprus, has skyrocketed traffic since Monday May 21, according to the latest data, with people missing the sea and rushing to coastal regions.In Nicosia, traffic increased by 108% on the Archangelos Avenue, going up almost 400% on the Larnaca-Paralimni highway, with thousands taking day trips to Ayia Napa and Protaras over the past week.According to Alexis Avgoustis, in charge of traffic studies and road safety at the Transport Ministry, May 21 saw 27,600 cars moving on the Larnaca-Paralimni highway, compared to just 5.600 on April 13.Also on May 21, 32,200 cars moved on the Nicosia-Larnaca highway.Augousti said that in certain areas, traffic is almost on the same level now as it was before the lockdown.
All organised beaches across the island reopened smoothly on Saturday authorities said after lockdown measures to tackle the spread of Covid-19 saw them close. Strict rules were put in place as to where the umbrellas and sun beds are set up to allow social distancing and they must be cleaned and disinfected thoroughly. Paralimni and Protaras, which are among the most popular, were packed.
