Half a million people in Cyprus have got their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, according to updated figures released by the health ministry on Saturday.

Health Minister Michalis Hadjipantela announced stricter measures effective next Tuesday in the Republic of Cyprus, making Safe Pass a requirement across the board but questions still remained over supermarket, bakeries, and other shops selling necessity goods.

Researchers from STARC (the Science and Technology in Archaeology and Culture Research Centre) of the Cyprus Institute have created a replica of a mediaeval metal cross of the Maronite Church of the Holy Cross in the Karpas.

The citizens' response on the first day of operation of the walk-in vaccination clinics has exceeded our expectations, Minister of Health Michalis Hadjipantelas has said.

Cyprus’ path to recovery “must and will” be aligned to sustainable development goals` Finance Minister Constantinos Petrides has said.

A decree by the Cypriot government dictating that all businesses give their employees additional annual leave for vaccinations increases costs for businesses, but many are willing to accept these expenses if they lead to an end to the pandemic crisis.

The Cypriot economy is projected to record strong GDP growth over the next two years after a pandemic-induced 2020 contraction.

Cyprus expects a substantial number of fully-vaccinated British visitors before the month’s end now that the UK kept the Mediterranean island on its amber list even tough new covid-19 cases are on the rise in recent days.

“Today, the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) oversees 790 entities and 9 trillion transactions by Cyprus Investment Firms, placing it among the first markets in Europe in 2020,” noted CySEC Chairwoman Demetra Kalogerou. “This is an expansion of more than 200% since 2011 and we have 100 applications for licences awaiting approval decisions.”

The ECB’s Strategy Review will allow for the continuation of support of the Eurozone economies, said Central Bank of Cyprus (CBC) governor Constantinos Herodotou.