Source: CNA

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People are also allowed to move freely in parks (but not in playgrounds), squares, marinas, as long as they remain in groups of under 10 people. Hairdressers, barbershops, beauty salons, massage and tattoo parlors are also reopening, along with restaurants operating outdoors. Gathering in outdoor restaurant areas will be also limited to groups of up to 10 persons.

As of May 23, Churches and other religious places will reopen for worship, in line with the relevant protocols. The same applies for weddings, baptisms and funerals. Beaches are also reopening, including organized ones, in line with the protocols issued by the Ministry of Health. Betting agencies also reopen on the same day.

From June 1 onwards libraries, museums, archeological sites, and ports (except disembarkation points for cruise ship passengers) are also reopening.

According to the Government Spokesman, the Ministry of Justice and Public Order will submit a bill for parliament approval, to increase penalties and out-of-court fines for business owners not complying with the relevant decrees and measures. Fines will increase in case the offence is repeated.

President Anastasiades calls on people to meticulously observe measures, decrees and protocols issued by the Ministry of Health, in order to ensure public health, Koushos said adding that the pandemic in not over yet.

Source: CNA

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In statements to CNA, Kokkinos said that the government will annouce soon the possibility of using an e-signatrue in cooperation with the association of Cyprus banks.

“This will bring about a huge change to the better, as citizens and businesses will be able to have transactions using the e-signature without having to have a physical presence to sign documents,” whether that has to do with the public sector or business to business dealings, he added.

Kokkinos explained that e-signature will be possible by using licensed service providers who are trustworthy, adding that JCC is one such service provider in Cyprus today.

He also said that the relevant legisation which establishes the e-signagure has been complete since 2018. “We have completed all necessary technical preparations and we are at the announcement level,” he noted.

The Deputy Minister said that a person`s e-signature is part of its electronic identity, adding that there is a second part which has to do with electronic identification. Through the electronic identification someone will be able to electronically prove his or her identity without having to be physically present.

Electronic identification will have to have already taken place in order fo the e-signature to be used, he said, adding however that the relevant legislation on that is being drafted.

Electronic identification will have to take place either through the interested party`s bank, if a person is an e-banking user, or he would have to use JCC directly, he pointed out.

Over 60% of citizens have access to e-banking and most of them will be able to get their electronic identification through their bank, Kokkinos said.

Replying to a relevant question Kokkinos said that discussions on these issues have been ongoing for over a decade.

The government has been handling the technical part for five years with the aim for implementation at 2021.

“The imperative need which arose due to the coronavirus pushed us to think differently,” he said, adding that it was decided to go ahead with the e-signature as a first stage.

Source: CNA

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According to a written statement by Government Spokesman Kyriakos Koushos, during the meeting, that took place at the Presidential Palace, in the presence of the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Labour, Welfare and Social Insurance and the Minister of Health, President Anastasiades briefed the political party leaders about the current situation as regards the management of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the strategy drafted by the Government for the gradual lifting of the restrictive measures and for the restart of the economy.

The President of the Republic underlined that the strategy will be depended on the epidemiological data, the recommendations of the scientific committee, the systematic monitoring through random checks and the potential of taking and maintaining of safety measures, the Spokesman added.

He went on to say that the political party leaders submitted views and proposals. An exchange of views took place on the issues related to the lifting of the restrictive mesures and the restart of the economy.

The President expressed his thanks to the political parties for their cooperation in the framework of the Government`s efforts to address the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Spokesman concluded.

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 also noted that this tool could also assist shipping companies in expanding their activities to other markets where opportunity arises due to Covid-19.

“Shipping knows of rough seas but it is a sector that requires political and economic support to avoid significant impact,” Kazakos added.

Furthermore, Kazakos said that shipping addressed practical issues since the outbreak of the disease such as crew changes and ship certificates, affected by containment measures taken worldwide.

Certificates both for seafarers and ships have been extended so that global and Cypriot shipping could still be able to operate until these measures are relaxed.

Source: CNA

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The two schemes were approved by the Cabinet on Thursday and were presented by Finance Minister Constantinos Petrides.

He said the first provides for a suspension of loan payments for a period of nine months, or end of December 2020. The second provides government guarantees of up to two billion euros to banks to offer low-interest loans and to subsidize part of the interest rate.

Petrides described the schemes as bold, noting that they subsidize the market through the banking system and not the banking system itself.

Central Bank Governor, Constantinos Herodotou said that the two schemes protect the banks and urged them to proceed with measures that will be presented to the Central Bank which he added, is planning further measures.

The Minister of Finance said that in front of huge economic challenges there’s need of bold financial measures that will have a huge impact on public finances, will prevent a deep and prolonged crisis and will allow a faster recovery.

After the Government’s consultation with the political parties, the two schemes are expected to be approved Friday by the parliament.

The Minister also said that the Ministry of Finance, had been working in full coordination and cooperation with the Central Bank of Cyprus (CBC) to combine, in the best possible way, both monetary and fiscal tools.

Regarding the suspension of loan payments for a period of nine months, he said that the suspension covers businesses, natural persons and self-employed who were consistent with their obligations to both the banks and other credit institutions. For the implementation of the measure, a written request should be made to the financial institution.

On the other hand, the Minister said that Banks, while they will have costs due to the suspension of payments, they are not expected to face sustainability problems due to the flexibility provided by decisions of the Central Bank of Cyprus (CBC) and the competent European monetary authorities.

Regarding the second scheme that provides government guarantees of up to two billion euros to banks, he said that €1,750,000,000 will be granted as new low-interest loans to Businesses and self – employed and € 250,000,000 will be for subsidizing part of the interest rate to individuals, self-employed and businesses.

He explained that government guarantees would cover 70% of the losses that could result from the above loans and banks the remaining 30%, regardless of whether the loan was secured or not.
Loans will last from 3 months to 6 years excluding current accounts with a maximum guarantee of 1 year.

The process of granting government guarantees to credit institutions will begin in early April and it is expected that the first loans will be granted in early May 2020.

There are also conditions for granting government guarantees to credit institutions as well as for the granting of loans, such as the maximum amount of loans that may be granted and the reasons of the loan.

The Minister particularly noted the condition that eligible businesses and self-employed will not proceed with any layoffs from the date of the decree and until December 31, 2020 through the redundancy fund.

On his part the Central Bank Governor said that the suspension of loan payments helps the real economy, households and businesses, while safeguarding banks, which will not be forced to recognize as non – performing loans the difficulties that people are experiencing. He also urged banks to fully plan measures and present them to CBC. He added that the CBC was considering further measures to be announced soon.

Source: CNA

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Source: CNA

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