Cyprus to begin random tests for Covid-19 in airports since it eases entry restrictions
21 June, 2020
Random coronavirus lab tests will be carried out on a proportion of travellers coming to Cyprus' airports as an extra layer of coverage against the virus’ pass on.
The measure was announced by government officials on Friday, June 19, a day prior to the expiration of a requirement that foreign nationals permitted to travel to Cyprus get yourself a health certificate declaring them coronavirus-free.
According to the Overall health Ministry, 22 countries are actually considered low-risk, incorporating Greece, Germany, Austria, Bulgaria, South Korea and Australia, even while another 12, incorporating France, Italy, Belgium, Spain and Lebanon, happen to be in a higher-associated risk category.
Cyprus's two biggest tourist markets, the united kingdom and Russia, have yet to be contained in either category.
Cyprus’ deputy government spokesman Panayiotis Sentonas said the assessment measure was taken about the advice of an advisory physique of medical professionals “so as not to risk the confident epidemiological picture” the united states has built during the last few months.
Cyprus has managed a minimal coronavirus infection rate because of a practically three-month lockdown imposed found in mid-March that included a commercial airline flight ban and a good stay-at-home order.
The united states is keen to restart is essential tourism sector that directly makes up about 13 % of its economy, but really wants to avoid imported virus flare-ups that could tarnish its image.
Up to 500 flights a week expected
Health and wellbeing Minister Constantinos Ioannou said overall health officials in the airports are aiming to randomly test 10 to 15 per cent of just one 1,500 passengers who exactly are estimated to arrive daily over the next few weeks.
Ioannou said random virus lab tests will also be conducted in passengers arriving from the 12 higher-risk countries, including Lebanon, who'll still desire a health certificate declaring them virus-free.
Cyprus has reported 985 total coronavirus conditions and 19 deaths.
Transportation Minister Yiannis Karousos told status radio that he expected the quantity of flights to improve to around 500 weekly in July.
But the government expects visitor amounts to be down by 70 % this year due to the pandemic, after counting almost four million arrivals in 2019.
Source: www.thenational.ae
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