According to a written statement by Deputy Government Spokesman, Panayiotis Sentonas, President Anastasiades also informed the Chancellor about Turkey’s illegal activities in Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and the broader region.

The two leaders discussed ongoing developments in relation to the coronavirus pandemic and exchanged views about the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework, as well as the Recovery Fund, that are under discussion, Sentonas said.

In this framework, President Anastasiades congratulated Chancellor Merkel for her joint initiative with French President Macron, which played a constructive role in shaping the relevant European Commission proposal, he went on.

According to the Deputy Government Spokesman, the President of Cyprus informed Merkel on Cyprus’ effective handling of the pandemic and the current epidemiological condition, which allow Cyprus to welcome foreign tourists. The President also underlined the importance of bilateral synergies to support tourism, a key sector for the Cypriot economy.

“Merkel congratulated President Anastasiades for Cyprus’ positive results and informed him that Cyprus is among the countries considered to be safe destinations for German citizens” it is noted.

The President of Cyprus also discussed with the German Chancellor Turkey’s continuous illegal activities, both in the EEZ of Cyprus, as well as in the broader region, Sentonas said. During the conversation, President Anastasiades elaborated on the range of negative consequences, as well as on the destabilizing character of Turkey’s illegal activities, the Deputy Spokesman added.

According to the written statement, the two leaders arrived at a common understanding about the role the EU must play, which needs to continue monitoring Turkish actions closely, acting decisively while insisting on the implementation of its decisions and demonstrating its practical solidarity.

The President of Cyprus and the German Chancellor agreed the two countries to stay in close contact and consultation, on all levels, ahead of the German Presidency of the Council of the EU, the Deputy Government Spokesman concluded.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third. Turkey has ignored numerous UN resolutions calling for the withdrawal of the Turkish troops and respect of the integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus.

Turkish drill ship “Yavuz” arrived last April in the exclusive economic zone of Cyprus, after Ankara announced another attempt to drill a well in blocks licensed to European companies. This is the 6th time Turkey attempts to drill within the EEZ and continental shelf of the Republic of Cyprus, this time in an area that covers part of exploration blocks 6 and 7, which have been licensed to ENI and TOTAL.

In a statement on May 15, EU Foreign Ministers deplored the fact that Turkey has not yet responded to EU calls to cease such activities and reiterated their call on Ankara to show restraint, refrain from such actions, and respect the sovereignty and sovereign rights of Cyprus, in accordance with international law. EU Foreign Ministers also reaffirmed previous Council and European Council conclusions, notably those of June 2019 and October 2019 on Turkey’s continued illegal activities in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Source: CNA

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According to a  press release issued by the Presidency, President Anastasiades will preside over on Wednesday a meeting of the Council of Ministers, at the Presidential Palace. The meeting will start at 7 p.m local time.

After the meeting, the President will address the public to announce the measures to support the employees and the economy.

Source: CNA

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The Cyprus government`s action plan for the gradual lifting of the restrictive measures for flights to and from Larnaca and Paphos airports were the focus of a meeting on Wednesday at the Presidential palace under President Nicos Anastasiades.

The meeting was attended by the Ministers of Transport, Health, Finance, Labour, Foreign Affairs, Justice and the Deputy Minister of Tourism as well as by the members of the scientific group on COVID-19.

In statements after the meeting, Sentonas noted that President Anastasiades listened to the opinions of the scientists for various issues, related to these plans, as the phases for the opening of airports, the categorization of the venues, the determination of criteria and the preconditions of each category as well as the measures for prevention and health protection.

Sentonas said that President Anastasiades thanked the scientists for their valuable services for the management of the pandemic, and the effort they are making to inform citizens.

Source: CNA

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“Tomorrow we are taking the first slow steps of exiting our shelters. This creates an additional responsibility. We must all protect with our behaviour ourselves, our loved us, our friends, our colleagues, our compatriots,” President Anastasiades wrote on Facebook.

“We must strictly adhere to the personal hygiene protocols and the health and safety rules in our workplaces and the places we visit,” he adds.

“A little longer. With prudence, consistency and patience we will make it,” President Anastasiades concludes.

Source: CNA

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In particular, from May 4, restrictions in the construction sector and all related business activities are lifted.

Retail businesses are also allowed to open as well as outdoors markets and bazaars, provided that they abide by the health and safety rules to be issued by the relevant Ministries. Shopping centers and department stores are still to remain closed.

Tour operators and travel agencies are also to open.

The public and wider public sector resumes full operation as of May 4^th, with all employees returning to their posts.  Working hours will be determined by the relevant Ministers.

People belonging to vulnerable groups of people as they are determined by a revised list published by the Ministry of Health are exempt.  

Employees who are responsible for looking after children until the age of 15 years-old will also be allowed to be on leave until public and private schools start operating again, he said. He added however that during their absence they are obligated to perform any duties they are assigned which they could do remotely.

People belonging to vulnerable groups who will not return to work will also work from home in the same way.

President Ansatasiades also said that the courts will be able to start operating again, adding that this will take place in accordance to decisions to be taken by the Supreme Court.

Referring to the sector of education, he said that the return of students due to graduate from high school in public and private schools has been decided as of May 11, adding that Education Minister Prodromos Prodromou would be making announcements as to the operation of the rest of the school system.

In the context of normalization of the operation of public and private hospitals as of May 4, restrictions are partially lifted and that this will continue on the basis of Ministry of Health directions. Dentists will also resume their operations.

Referring to restrictions in the movement of people outdoors, President Anastasiades said that the number of trips outside is increased from one to three per day, using sms messages as has been the case so far.

He also announced that a curfew would remain in place between 2200 hours until 0600 hours.

From May 4^th onward people are allowed to pray in churches, mosques or other places of religious worship provided that there are no more than 10 people inside. A prohibition on large events such as weddings, christenings and funerals, continues to be in place.

From June 1^st onward people will be able to attend mass in churches, mosques or other religious places provided that hygiene protocols are as they are set by the Ministry of Health are strictly adhered to. The same measures will be in place for weddings, christenings and funerals.

President Anastasiades continued saying that as of June 1^st it will be allowed for up to two people to exercise by way of waking, swimming or cycling in open spaces, in pedestrianized areas, pedestrianized areas within parks. Underage children are exempt.

Parks, playgrounds and other open areas will remain closed.  

From May 4^th onward, the use of open or outdoors sports facilities will be allowed for high performance athletes included in a list by the Cyprus Olympic Committee.

From May 18^th onward, team sports can train in open spaces on the basis of protocols issued by the Ministry of Health. The use of changing rooms or gyms or other similar facilities is not allowed.

Everything depends on strictly abiding with epidemiological protocols and directions issued by the relevant ministries, he reiterated.

“Therefore, decisions which have to do with lifting of measures will depend absolutely on the epidemiological indices and the recommendations of the scientific team,” he noted.

Second Phase
—-

From May 21^st, all restrictions of citizens movement are lifted, President Anastasiades said.

People will be able to visit parks, playgrounds, open spaces, squares, marinas and so on, provided that no more than 10 people are together.

Restaurant businesses will resume operations but only in outdoors spaces and on the basis of strict protocols issued by the Ministries of Labour and Health.

From May 21^st onward, hairdressers, barbers and beauty salons resume operations.

From June 1^st onward, people will be allowed access to organized beaches.

Ports start full operation, with the exception of passengers getting off from cruise ships.

Libraries, museums, archaeological and historic spaces resume operation.

Bookmakers resume operations.

At the same time, President Anastasiades noted that government plans for the gradual repatriation of students and other Cypriots stranded abroad is been implemented.

He made it clear that “the duration of measures will depend and is absolutely related with showing mutual respect and solidarity, in the same way the large majority of Cypriots have shown until today.”

Source: CNA

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Source: CNA

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As for the repatriation of people, he said that they decided to bring back gradually Cypriots who stay at University dormitories and are enrolled in Foundation Courses or are at their first year of studies.

The repatriation measure also applies to citizens who reside permanently in the Republic of Cyprus and who went abroad for temporary work, or their work was suspended or terminated due to COVID-19. Moreover, permanent residents in the Republic of Cyprus may also return for a series of humanitarian reasons.

Persons deemed to assist efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic will be also permitted to enter the Republic of Cyprus, regardless of their nationality.

Moreover, the President said that they decided to go on with sample tests in each District, on the basis of the recommendations made by the scientific team. In the coming days there will be 20,000 additional sample tests on people who continue to work in the private or public sector and in the National Guard, he added. The President also said that all people gradually returning to the Republic of Cyprus will be also tested.

Speaking about economic measures, President Anastasiades said that they decided to extent state support for employees and businesses until June 12, 2020. Four months after the end of this period, employees and businesses will continue to receive support, he added.

Speaking about the measures taken so far, the President said that they aimed to diminish incoming cases from abroad, and called the decision to prevent students studying abroad from returning home as painful. The aim was to protect the students, as well as the rest of the citizens, he added.

Referring to the plan for the safe and gradual repatriation of those who wish to come back home – to be coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs – the President said that both the numbers and the time schedules are determined in detail, along with strict measures to prevent the spread of new COVID-19 cases.

He also said that additional measures to safeguard jobs and incomes, as well as vulnerable groups imply that the government is determined to maintain the impetus until conditions allow for the restart of the economy.

President Anastasiades also noted that it is not the way of life, but life itself which is in danger and called people not to succumb to difficulties. The duration of measures is dependent on their strict application, he said and acknowledged the additional difficulty due to approaching Easter celebrations.

This is not the first time that we are going through similar or worse difficulties, the President said, adding that the reason we managed to survive is because our determination and tenacity were being put to test. He noted finally that the vast majority of citizens abide by the measures and called on people to continue staying at their homes.

Source: CNA

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He said that the question is not which his preference is, but what he is obliged to do, under the circumstances, so that he would not feel that he did not fully undertake his responsibility during a period that difficult decisions need to be taken.

He added that the responsibility of both himself and the government is to protect the health, the life and the employment security of each citizen.
 
Furthermore he stressed that he would rather be judged for his current decisions than be faced with the pain and sorrow of the people because human lives would be lost due to his lack of courage.
 
“With the same courage that I took painful decisions in the past I will do the same thing now as well. As we did then, when we overcame the crisis with the cooperation of everyone, will also win this battle as well. We will make it,” Anastasiades concluded.

Source: CNA

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The country`s political leadership, both government and political parties, in a spirit of mutual understanding exchanged proposals which will be put down in paper and then sent to Parliament next week to be voted, he said and urged citizens to abide by the advice of staying at home, sending a message that “united in the battle against the coronavirus we will be victorious.”

In statements, Koushos said that the the meeting, that took place at the Presidential Palace, was “extremely productive,” adding that President Anastasiades briefed political party leaders over the government`s more general policy in dealing with the coronavirus outbreak and competent Ministers informed them of individual measures in place and their ministries` plans.

The Government Spokesperson noted that all political party leaders spoke and contributed with their own suggestions, in a spirit of absolute mutual understanding on the principles of the proposals which have been submitted, adding that it was agreed that both governmental and political party proposals would be put down in paper and sent to the parties as soon as possible.

He further pointed out that it is not expected that there will be any disagreement and that the Parliament plenary will be in session next Tuesday or Wednesday so that the Bills which are necessary for measures to be implemented, can be voted. House of Representatives President Demetris Syllouris also confirmed that the plenary would probably take place on Tuesday or Wednesday next week. In a brief statement to the press, he said that a plenary session initially scheduled for tomorrow is now postponed, adding that “it is worth it to delay for three or four days in order to have a complete package of measures.”

In his statements, Koushos noted that “all political leaders expressed their appreciation and their thanks to all public officers who are taking part in the effort against the coronavirus spreading,” he said, adding that “United we will be victorious.”

At the same time he appealed on behalf of the entire political leadership to citizens to be self – disciplined in order to protect their families, relatives and the people in general.

Asked whether the measure of imposing a curfew was discussed, Koushos said that it hadn`t. For the time being, he noted, there is no decision for imposing such a measure.

“We do not make a secret of it however that there are plans for all possible scenario but this will be depend on developments,” he added, stressing that the government is taking decisions which are based on the advice of experts.

At this stage, he continued, there is no intention of implementing further drastic measures, which does not however rule out the possibility of issuing more decrees, which will not contain drastic measures.

Asked about the matter of private sector doctors and their contribution to the effort against the coronavirus, he said that a plan is in place as to where each doctor will serve, but did not wish to go into further details, adding that Minister of Health Constantinos Ioannou is expected to give further details on that matter.

Source: CNA

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The Cabinet met under President Anastasiades to discuss the order of business, as well as issues in relation to efforts to address COVID-19.

Government Spokesman, Kyriacos Koushos, said in a written statement that during the session, all competent Ministers informed the Cabinet about the measures that are being taken, as well as the plans each Ministry puts forward and relevant decisions were taken.

He added that Kyriacos Kokkinos, the Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, also informed the Cabinet about new technology applications the Ministries develop, in particular the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Labor, as their workload increases due to coronavirus.

“The President of the Republic addressing the members of the Cabinet, stressed the great importance of getting all citizens on board to deal with coronavirus, a pandemic challenging not just Cyprus, but the whole world” Koushos noted.

He also said that the President called on people to contribute as much as possible to deal with this unprecedented situation more effectively.

From their part, Ministers assured the President of Cyprus that they will exert all efforts to address the spread of coronavirus and protect the society in its entirety, while making sure that decrees will be observed, the Government Spokesman concluded.

Source: CNA

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