Cyprus announced a lockdown soon after its first cases on March 9. Commercial traffic was halted on March 21. On Tuesday Cyprus recorded two new cases, leaving the total number of recorded cases at 972.
Transport Minister Yiannis Karousos welcomed 22 arrivals from Israel at Larnaca airport, saying Cyprus was in effect free of the virus.
“I miss Cyprus, Cyprus is a brother of Israel, it’s very nice, very quiet,” said Israeli visitor Joseph Amkri, 50.
At Ayia Napa’s Nissi beach, lifeguard Xenios Charalambous said he had never seen the beach this empty.
“We’re trying to pull through and hope more people come now that the airports are open. We’ll be here waiting for them.”
Speaking to reporters at Larnaca airport, the transport minister said he was pleased that all protocols were being adhered to.
All passengers entering the airport were wearing masks and had their temperatures taken upon entry.
In total five arrivals and five departures were scheduled at Larnaca.
Airports will for now operate following strict guidelines, with only passengers and employees allowed inside the buildings.
The government has created a platform www.cyprusflightpass.gov.cy where documents can be uploaded and full information found.
“Everything went very positively today, and I think the ministry services have done an excellent job to prepare, we are ready,” Karousos said.
He said the list of countries designated as A or B – considered safest by comparison – would be updated, with new countries added to it.
Category A includes Greece, Malta, Bulgaria, Norway, Austria, Finland, Slovenia, Hungary, Israel, Denmark, Germany, Slovakia, and Lithuania. Category B are Switzerland, Poland, Romania, Croatia, Estonia, and Czechia.
Asked about earlier remarks on the expected travel to Cyprus in the coming months, Karousos said he was alluding to forecasts on overall passenger traffic, not necessarily the same as tourists.
“We estimate that in the first month there will be approximately 1,000 passengers a day, so 30,000 [in a month], during the second month about 200,000 passengers, during the third month some 400,000 passengers, and in four months from now about 600,000 passengers.”
Over the next couple of months those numbers would be stable, with about 30 per cent comprising tourists, though the numbers depend on which countries were open for flights. For the time being, airlines prefer to run flights from countries listed in Group A.
In addition to Greece – Cyprus’ main link to the outside world – the minister said airlines are expressing interest in adding new routes, particularly for scheduled flights for which until now there had been no service.
In addition, other nations like Poland and Ukraine are querying Cypriot authorities on when they can reinstate air connectivity with Cyprus.
On the procedures going forward, Karousos said the current air travel phase – lasting until June 19 – is a trial run that will help authorities identify any problems.
During this phase, Cyprus will accept travellers only from countries designated as A or B, and passengers will need to produce a certificate that they tested negative for the coronavirus. Cypriot citizens, legally resident persons and some other special categories will have the right to have a coronavirus test on arrival here. The cost of the test is €60 and will be borne by the individual.
Flights from countries that are not A or B, will be allowed but only with express permission from the transport minister, based on certain criteria. This concerns passengers who are Cypriot citizens as well as persons legally resident in the Republic.
For instance, permission has been granted for an inbound flight from the UK due here on Tuesday evening; authorities would check that the passengers are eligible for repatriation.
During the second phase, from June 20 onward, and for countries belonging to group A, it will no longer be necessary to produce a negative Covid-19 test; however all passengers must fill out a questionnaire online.
They will need to get approval that they have submitted all required documentation, and display the approval prior to departure.
“No one will be allowed to board a plane unless they have first completed this electronic application form, which will be used for contact tracing and for planning purposes, so that we know who needs to take the [coronavirus] test on arrival, as well as other details,” Karousos said.
From June 20 and beyond, and concerning countries not designated as A or B, flights will be allowed but on condition that the passengers are Cypriots, persons legally resident in Cyprus, and certain others with special permission.
Visitors from Russia and Britain, which are Cyprus’s main markets, are not yet included, though deputy minister for tourism Savvas Perdios said he expected that to happen in mid-July.
For her part, Elena Kalogirou , CEO of airport operator Hermes Airports, told media that already 20 companies have routed flights to and from Cyprus’ two airports.
As the situation evolves and more countries are re-evaluated in terms of their health safety, more airlines would be added to the schedule.
She said that inside the airport building only passengers and employees are allowed. All must wear a mask that they will bring with them.
Hand sanitisers are available at the entrances to the airport building; next passengers will move to a special space with a thermal camera reading their temperature.
Check-in counters will operate on a rotating basis in order to adhere to social distancing requirements; seats in the departures and arrivals areas will be marked green and red alternately, with green signifying they can be used.
Special markings on the floor remind passengers to keep a safe distance from one another. Also signs will be put up next to flight information screens and at baggage claim indicating the required spacing.
Regarding Paphos airport, Kalogirou said that whereas it is open for business, scheduled flights would commence after June 20.
Ryanair, based at Paphos and operating three aircraft, is to resume normal scheduling after that date.
Source: Cyprus Mail
