It is also said that the recommendation of the European Council of June 30 with regard to the  gradual and coordinated lifting of travel bans to the EU was also taken into consideration.

Passengers coming from Category A countries are not required to present a laboratory test certificate. Passengers coming from Category B countries are required to have carried out a laboratory test by a recognised laboratory at least during the last 72 hours prior to departure and possess a Certificate showing a negative PCR for COVID-19.

All passengers, regardless of country category, shall be obliged to file an application for the CyprusFlightPass (https://cyprusflightpass.gov.cy/) within 24 hours before the departure of their flight.

For reasons of protecting Public Health and monitoring the epidemiological situation a random laboratory testing on passengers of selected arriving flights shall take place.

Category A – Low-risk countries at the present stage
Countries with effective (Rt) reproduction number less than 1 or/and small number of new diagnosed outbreaks (<1/100,000 inhabitants per day) or/and low or very low mortality from COVID-19 (<5-10/100,000 inhabitants) or/and classification of sporadic cases or clusters of cases according to the WHO or/and at least satisfactory laboratory testing (>3000 tests/100,000 inhabitants) are classified in this category:

EU member states: Austria, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Finland.

Schengen members: Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway

Third countries: Georgia, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, South Korea, Thailand

Category B – Countries with possible low risk but more uncertainty compared to those of category A
Countries with effective (Rt) reproduction number greater than 1 or/and number of new diagnosed outbreaks >1/100,000 inhabitants per day or/and increased mortality COVID-19 (>10/100,000 inhabitants) or/and limited laboratory testing (<2000 tests/100,000 inhabitants) or lack of WHO classification are classified in this category:

EU member states: Belgium, France, Greece, Spain, Italy, Croatia, the Netherlands, Czech Republic

United Kingdom

Small countries: Andorra, Monaco, Vatican City, San Marino

Third countries: Australia, Ruanda, Tunisia, Uruguay, China

Category C – Countries with increased risk compared to categories A and B

Only specific groups of travellers from Group C countries are allowed to come to Cyprus

EU countries: Bulgaria, Portugal, Sweden, Luxembourg, Romania

Third countries: Algeria, Serbia, Morocco, Montenegro

Source: CNA

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The model proposed by the University’s scientists mentions three consecutive dates where the evolution of the virus pandemic is depicted, from the turning point of the cases, to the recording of 97%, 99% and 100% respectively of the new cases in each country.

Although scientists at Singapore University of Technology point out that developments can be altered by various factors each time, however, the methodology they use is based on the measures taken by governments, the acceptance of citizens in isolation measures and distinctive geographical characteristics and can estimate the pattern that the pandemic will follow.

However, as emphasized in the research, the pandemic life cycles vary among countries and there may be different patterns in a specific time frame. For example, on April 21, the Singaporean government announced the extension of the citizens’ restraint measures, while on the same day Italy announced a plan to gradually restart the economy, starting from May 4.

Therefore, based on this methodology and confirmed mathematical models, scientists from Singapore are trying to show at which stage of the pandemic the countries of the world are; and when it is expected to end. However, scientists point out that due to the evolving nature of the pandemic and possible different political approaches from their governments, the pandemic curve, the turning point and the end dates will be constantly reassessed.

According to their analysis, the turning point for the pandemic worldwide was April 11, while on March 30, 97% of cases were recorded and therefore, based on their models, 99% will be recorded on June 17 while and the end of the pandemic is expected on December 9, 2020.

For Cyprus, researchers from Singapore estimate that the turning point was April 5, with 97% of cases recorded on April  29. 99% will be recorded on May 8, while the end of the pandemic for our country is estimated on May 24.

For the rest of Europe, researchers estimate that the end of the pandemic is expected on August 25 for Italy, August 1 for Germany, August 5 for France, August 7 for Spain, July 27 for Belgium and August and September 8 for Netherlands.

The end of the pandemic in the United States is estimated on August 27, for Russia on July 20, while they estimate that the pandemic already ended for China.

See the University table:

Source: Singapore University of Technology

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In a post on his Twitter account, Huang also said that 50k masks donated by sister city Guangzhou have arrived and will be distributed island-wise in the next few days.

“China-Cyprus friendship is built to last forever,” he said, citing a Greek phrase which means that power comes from unity.

Source: CNA

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Replying to CNA questions, Petrides also said that a steering committee comprised by representatives of the ministries and deputy ministries taking part in the ministerial committee, has been working hard for days now to draft the relevant proposal, including during this weekend.

On Monday, he said, the ministerial committee convene with a view to finalise the proposal which will be presented to President Anastasiades on Tuesday.

The Finance Minister stressed that the ministerial committee will take into account all data presented to it by the epidemiological team and the advisory committee. “We will take into account all scientific, economic and social data available,” he said, adding that “we cannot reach a conclusion only on fragmented data” whether they be of medical, economic or social nature.

Petrides also pointed out that information has been published which does not have any relation to the proposal`s content on the first phase of restarting the economy and easing of measures restricting citizens` movement. “Much of the information presented as decisions are baseless,” he noted.

Source: CNA

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In statements after a meeting of President Anastasiades with the advisory scientific team on the coronavirus, Sentonas said that the President was informed by the Health Minister and the members of the team about the situation in relation to the management of the coronavirus pandemic in Cyprus.

He noted that no decisions were taken about the date on which the easing of the restrictive measures will begin or about the economic sectors that will operate again during the first phase.

The members of the scientific team, he added, expressed their satisfaction about the results of the measures that have been taken so far, noting the stable decreasing trend of the coronavirus confirmed cases.

According to Sentonas, the members of the scientific team referred during the meeting to the fields of the economy that could get back on track during the first phase, as well as to the easing of measures for the movement of citizens, under the precondition that this will be allowed by the epidemiological data and the epidemiological indicators.

They reiterated, he noted, that there must be no complacency so that we will not destroy what the people have achieved during the last period of time with a lot of patience and sacrifices.

Sentonas said that the President and the government want to thank the citizens once again for their responsible stance, their self-discipline and their social sensitivity that resulted in positive results in the efforts to address the coronavirus spread.

Source: CNA

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He told CNA that the Unit began work from the moment the first coronavirus cases in Cyprus were announced and will continue until measures are lifted.

“We trace the contacts of confirmed cases and look for possible new cases. We examine the contacts of each case. If a positive case works in a supermarket or an office, that case’s contacts fall outside his/her family and they are a lot more, he said.

It is very long and painstaking procedure because you have to talk to the patient. As soon as you announce the positive result, you have to start working fast and locate the case’s contacts and contain them so that there is no further exposure to the community, Silvestros added.

Asked how many contacts have been examined, he said they are thousands. “Imagine, from the 772 cases we have had so far, each had 3-4 contacts, then you understand that we are talking about many people”.

He explained that this is a very important procedure because it averts the spread of the virus. “We locate the contacts that might have been infected, we restrict them and make sure the virus is not spread to others”, Silvestros added.

Before the pandemic, the unit numbered five persons. Now, it has been reinforced with more staff to help tracing become effective. “There are 15 people working in the contact tracing unit but if the need arises, then this number can go up to 30”, he told CNA.

He said that usually those who have contracted the virus cooperate, but there have been instances where they refused to reveal their contacts.

“It is highly significant to locate the contacts of a confirmed case and restrict them. Every person is different. We are trying to persuade them of the seriousness of the situation. Most of them cooperate. Those that don`t, we have had to find different ways to persuade them. In some cases, we had to cite the legal framework which covers us.

Cyprus, he added, “has been commended by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control for its work, as not all countries carry out contact tracing.

Our colleagues from the ECDC say that we are carrying out excellent work and dedicate a lot of time and resources on carrying out the procedure. We have quality data on the cases and contacts. It is very hard for other countries to carry out contact tracing.

When there are thousands of cases and there is no time or resources, they cannot do that. We have the luxury however to do this because the number of our confirmed cases are low and there is a political will to do so”, he concluded.

Source: CNA

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Prodromou referred to the measures taken by the Republic of Cyprus concerning sports and  the initiatives in order to ensure the continuity of athletes’ training and enhance the physical activity of citizens under the circumstances.

He then spoke about the basic steps that need to be taken, both nationally and internationally, in order for sports to recover from the crisis, noting, the importance of rescheduling the postponed local and international sport events.

He also stressed the importance of digital technology sector in helping sport in the crisis and post-crisis recovery.

Source: CNA

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In statements after the meetings, Koushos said that they were convened in order for President Anastasiades to inform them on the situation as it stands in relation with managing the COVID-19 pandemic and to listen to economic and social partners’ views on the strategy which is being prepared by the government for the gradual lifting of restrictive measures and restarting the economy.

All participants in the two meetings, he noted, “expressed their satisfaction in relation to the measures the government has taken so far and submitted their positions as to the planning for the gradual lifting of restrictions and the operation of business activity sectors.”

During the meetings, Koushos said, President Anastasiades “stressed that both the strategy for the gradual lifting of restrictive measures and the economy’s restart will fully depend on epidemiological data, the scientific team’s recommendations, the systematic monitoring of the situation through testing and the capability of taking and maintaining safety measures.”

He further informed that the strategy which is being drafted by the relevant ministerial committee is expected to be presented at the Council of Ministers on April 29.

Source: CNA

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The press release points out that the sudden Covid-19 outbreak and an exponentially rising climate change are both posing unprecedented challenges to our planet and the international community at large. “Never has science been so central to our lives as today. The pandemic crisis reinforces the importance of science through evidence-informing government policies and direct role in decision making” PAM points out.

It also recalls that a few days ago, the UN Secretary General, Antonio Gutierres, appealed to the world community on the need to ‘increase ambition and action on climate change especially as countries take measures to recover from the coronavirus crisis’.

In a recent interview,the PAM adds, the UN Secretary General also warned that Covid-19’s long term impact will be ‘to look into climate change, because there is a clear demonstration that when we rebuild our economies, we will have a chance to do it in a more sustainable way.

“Now, that we consume less energy, we move less, it is a moment to look at how to do it better in the future’. In fact, since the beginning of the crisis an increasing number of studies has analysed the direct impact of weakened human activity,” it is underlined.

Accoirding to PAM, due to the limitations imposed in relation to COVID 19, in China, carbon emissions fell by around 25% over a four-week period, and global carbon dioxide emissions could fall by 0.3 percent to 1.2 percent in 2020.

In the EU, daily emissions have fallen 58% compared to precrisis levels. In the UK, air pollution levels have dropped significantly since the country went into lockdown, with some cities observing nitrogen dioxide levels fall by up to 60%. Similarly, in Northern Italy, the Copernicus Satellite system has revealed a drastic reduction in such emissions. “Unfortunately, as indicated by researchers at Istituto Affari Internazionali, ‘it is unlikely that Covid-19 is going to be good for the planet. Reductions in local pollution and greenhouse gas emissions due to lower mobility and economic activity are only going to be temporary’” the PAM says.

It is also interesting to note that the SARS-COV-2, the virus behind the Covid-19 pandemic, might be getting a helping hand from atmospheric pollution. A study from Harvard University connects the impact of the novel coronavirus on highly polluted areas of the U.S. and found correlation between long-term air pollution exposure and consistent rise in the Covid-19 death rate. Moreover, scientists from the Italian National Research Council took into account the high concentration of Covid-19 in the Po river Valley in Italy, one of the most polluted areas in Italy.

Source: CNA

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Following the detection of people having contracted COVID-19 in retail premises of the food supply chain and the reluctance of a number of them to take part in the government programme of 20,000 laboratory tests using the excuse of a possible impact this could have to the company they work for, the Ministry of Health announced in a press release that during its meeting on Wednesday the Cabinet made a number of decisions for reasons of public health.

In particular, all employees of retail companies trading in food and beverages, such as bakeries, supermarkets, kiosks, butchers, fish markets etc who are part of the supply chain of those businesses, that is to say they take part in food or beverages preparation or delivery, or work in customer service, “are obligated to be tested for the coronavirus within the next 14 days.”

Testing will also be mandatory within the next 14 days for people working in homes for the elderly and generally in premises offering accommodation and care for elderly people.

All the professionals this decision affects may be tested for free at the laboratories which are cooperating with the Ministry of Health, the press relase reads, adding that a relevant list has been published for this purpose in the conext of the 20,000 tests programme in the wider public and private sector. They may also be tested privately paying the equivalent price in government approved laboratories which do the PCR test.

It is added that after the 14-day deadline the relevant agencies in cooperation with the ministry`s epidemiological monitoring unit will make inspections to ensure that all affected employees have undergone the laboratory test for COVID-19.

A decree will be issued setting a maximum to the price asked for the PCR test by the approved laboratories at €110 excluding VAT.

At the same time, the Cabinet also decided that inspections by health services for the implementation of the new directive by the Ministry providing for the mandatory removal of all staff after an employee has tested positive in retail food and beverage companies and not just of the employees in close contact with the member of staff testing positive and of an immediate sanitisation of the premises, will be enhanced. 

The premises will be able to start operations again only if the epidemiological monitoring unit`s directions have been followed, which will be issuing a relevant approval. 

It is further noted that in order to safeguard public health the unit will announce the name and address of the premises offering services to the public where a person has tested positive for the coronavirus within 24 hours of it happening.

More details will follow later with the publication of a relevant decree by the Minister of Health, the press release concludes.

Source: CNA

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