The planning will continue, based on the available quarantine rooms, he said, adding that an average of 2,000 people will be repatriated every two weeks. The first repatriation will be from the United Kingdom and Greece, followed by other countries.  Karousos clarified that those who return home will now have to pay the cost of their ticket.

Pointing out that many people belonging to the vulnerable groups have already returned, he added that the first wave will be repatriated in the next 15 to 20 days, according to preferences posted on the Foreign Ministry’s online portal. As he said, a total of 1,971 people said they wanted to come back to Cyprus between 15-30 April. Of those, 758 are students who are enrolled in Foundation Courses or are freshmen. Karousos noted that the completion of repatriation of these students, will pave the way for all Cypriot citizens or permanent residents of the Republic of Cyprus to return home.

Asked on the duration of the planning, Karousos said that the planning will continue as long as the decrees for the ban on flights last. He added that people will come back, depending on the availability of quarantine rooms.

He also said that the Government will ask for offers for ticket prices per airport and region, based on the Foreign Affairs Ministry’s grouping. 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 also requires a two-week quarantine stay. Finally, the airline will contact those interested to issue a ticket.

The biggest interest, according to the Minister of Transport, is expressed by  people in the United Kingdom, followed those in Greece, Germany, the Netherlands and the United States. Karousos also said that according to the protection measures taken, a third of the plane would be empty. Therefore, an 189-seat plane will be able to carry up to 112 passengers, he added.

The Ministry of Transport, as he said, is doing its utmost to repatriate citizens in cooperation with the crisis management team, adding that co-ordination and co-operation between Ministries and services was needed.

Source: CNA

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Speaking to CNA, Photiou noted that the diaspora is present today, as it was always when Cyprus needed its assistance.

The Presidential Commissioner said that he is in constant contact with all Cypriot federations around the world and is speaking regularly on the phone with the heads of these organizations, in order to identify potential problems or needs due to COVID-19, improve coordination and tackle problems in Cypriot communities abroad.

Moreover, he referred to the death toll of Cypriots, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States, and said that there is an effort to help the affected families through local organizations. Some of these families lose their beloved ones without seeing them and in some instances,  they require psychological support, he said. He also pointed to the efforts of a group of people to support the elderly, while others help with food supplies.

All Cypriot organizations, in cooperation with Cyprus Embassies and the Foreign Ministry, do what they can to assist students and Cypriots stranded in these countries, Photiou added.

He mentioned the National Federation of Cypriots in the UK in particular, saying that its President, Christos Karaolis and the rest of its members are making a huge effort to help their compatriots, students and the diaspora and deserve congratulations.

Photiou said moreover that he is in touch with POMAK President Andreas Papaevripides, PSEKA President Philip Christopher and the heads of other organizations, in order to identify problems and try to solve them to the extent possible.

The Presidential Commissioner noted finally that they agreed with NEPOMAK and other youth organizations to cancel youth trips to Cyprus this summer. Instead they will channel the funds to provide online courses, in cooperation with various Universities.

Apart from Greek language courses, they will extend these programs to cover Cyprus history, traditions and other areas of interest, Photiou added.

The decision whether to organize the 21st World Conference of Diaspora Cypriots, later this summer, will be taken in mid-May, Photiou said, adding that the annual conference of the Federation of Cypriot American Organizations, due in May 27-30, has been postponed.
Source: CNA

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A presidency press release said that President Anastasiades, taking into account the view of the Health ministry’s Scientific Group and in an effort to put an end to any uncertainty or speculation expressed in good faith, would like to state that the gradual and controlled repatriation programme will be implemented as follows:

The Deputy Minister of tourism, after discussions with the hoteliers’ leadership, has secured one thousand beds with the total number of beds available for quarantine purposes now around 2000.

In addition, according to the criteria which have been decided and the tables prepared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, taking into account where possible the wish of those who have expressed their desire to repatriate on the relevant platform, the repatriation will be done as follows:
First, persons (students and non-students) who are part of the vulnerable groups according to the medical council decision, students that are living in university accommodations and are registered in Foundation courses prior to registering for the first year of their undergraduate course or are in the first year of undergraduate studies.
Other beneficiaries are (Cypriot citizens, students and non-students, those legally residing in the Republic of Cyprus and persons who have the right to enter the Republic based on the Vienna convention), according to the timeframe for repatriation which they have registered on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ relevant platform.

The President notes that the Minister of Transport, Communications and Works has undertaken the responsibility to complete the repatriation operation through charter flights. The cost of repatriation would be borne by the citizens, except where the flight is provided free of charge by airlines or other agencies and in cases of persons that the Republic has sent abroad for medical purposes.

 At the same time, the President clarified that the state will undertake the cost of compulsory stay (14 days of quarantine) and tests for coronavirus which those repatriated will have to undergo.

Source: CNA

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