The Republic of Cyprus has issued an emergency order banning entry of foreign nationals traveling to the island from India, except Cypriots, Europeans, and permanent residents who now must undergo additional screening, in an attempt to slow down further spread of the Indian variant of Covid-19.

The health ministry has announced that the Mediterranean island’s coronavirus vaccination appointment portal will be open for everyone over 18 from Friday onwards.

Gulf Air will on Friday start direct flights between Larnaca and Athens, it announced on Monday.

Cyprus’ tourism minister says there is great interest in Cyprus becoming a “glamping” destination, but laws need to be amended as luxury camping, a crossover between campgrounds and hotels, is not currently regulated in the Republic.

Poland and Romania were upgraded to Green on Monday as the health ministry announced its classification of countries based on their epidemiological condition, affecting travellers from those countries coming to Cyprus.

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Unemployment in the first quarter reached 8.6% of the labour force, data released by the Cyprus Statistical Service (Cystat) show.

Monday marks International Blood Donor Volunteer Day and the Presidency congratulated all those who made it possible for Cyprus to rank first among EU countries for volunteer blood donations in proportion to its population.

The Cyprus Ministry of Health reiterated that benefits from Covid vaccinations are multiple leading to the improvement of the island’s epidemiological picture, but underline the need for accelerating vaccinations especially among younger persons as imperative.

Health Minister Constantinos Ioannou is calling on Covid survivors in the Republic of Cyprus to get vaccinated, saying vaccines offer protection.