This winter, for the first time ever, Cyprus is going to create a Christmas Village, Deputy Minister for Tourism Savvas Perdios told the Cyprus Mail in an interview on Monday.

The EAC board welcomed Energy Minister Natasa Pilides to Vasiliko power station on Monday to showcase investments to protect the environment by reducing carbon emissions in compliance with EU directives and labour ministry operating permits.

In addition to new health and safety protocols which will be put in the place in the new school year for Primary and Secondary education, there will also be various educational areas being reformed such as the teaching of Greek as second language to children with immigrant backgrounds.

Five protected areas who were included in the Natura 2000 Network as sites of community importance are now being designated as special areas of conservation under the Nature and Wildlife Protection and Management Law.

Rules that have allowed Cypriots and permanent residents to opt to do their PCR test on arrival at Larnaca and Paphos airports will change from August 1 to cover only specific groups of the population, the transport ministry said on Monday.

Payments with credit cards will soon be accepted at the 38 health centres under the state health services organisation (Okypy), it was announced on Monday.

Following a decision of the Council of Ministers, on 18 February 2021, regarding the Action Plan for the gradual resumption of flights and the re-opening of airports, the Epidemiological Monitoring Unit of the Ministry of Health has made a re-evaluation of the epidemiological situation in various countries as regards Covid-19.

Only vaccinated people, children under 16, and certain vulnerable groups will be entitled to a free rapid antigen test for Covid-19 after the government scraps free testing on 1 August.

EU Finance Ministers have approved Cyprus’ €1.2 billion Recovery and Resilience Plan to exit the pandemic during a scheduled videoconference on Monday.

Health Minister Michalis Hadjipantela says while government planning includes preparations for a third jab for vaccinated adults and seniors, the booster shot is subject to approval in Brussels.