The Ministry of Finance has withdrawn a recent decree on VAT returns from certain categories of taxpayers due to the pressure on public finances sparked by the coronavirus-related restrictive measures.

Cyprus would have to rely on itself for raising funds for its economic measures as the Eurogroup meeting that concluded on Thursday night decided to put off any decision on the issuing of Eurobonds, now also known as corona bonds.

The central bank (CBC) said Friday it has released a further €90 million that could be used to support the economy by pushing back a deadline that obliges other systemically important institutions (O-SII) to hold additional capital buffers.

Cyprus credit card transactions in the first quarter of 2020 increased by 13%, as the coronavirus outbreak left its marks on the use of plastic money.

The electricity authority (EAC) said on Friday it has pre-purchased 60,000 metric tons (MT) of fuel oil in an effort to make the best use of the low fuel prices recorded during this period in to best benefit of consumers.

The health ministry on Thursday announced 38 new confirmed cases of coronavirus bringing the total number to 564, with officials again stressing the situation still called for vigilance.

A law amendment allowing the slaughter of goats and sheep according to Jewish dietary laws for meat exports to Israelis is to be filed soon, a farmers’ representative said.

President Nicos Anastasiades announced that restrictions on free movement and other measures adopted by the government to stem the spread of the coronavirus will remain in effect until the end of April.

Thirty-two new Covid-19 cases were announced by the health ministry on Wednesday evening, bringing the total number to 526.

Fitch ratings agency has downgraded Hellenic Bank’s long-term Issuer default rating (IDR) to ‘B’ from ‘B+’ and Viability Rating (VR) to ‘b’ from ‘b+’ and placed them both on rating watch negative (RWN). At the same time, Fitch has placed Bank of Cyprus long-term IDR of ‘B-‘ and VR of ‘b-‘ on RWN.