Finance Minister Constantinos Petrides on Saturday welcomed the affirmation by Standard & Poor’s international credit agency of Cyprus’ credit rating to “BBB-“. It also confirmed the island’s economic stable outlook.

Non-performing loans in the Cyprus banking system accelerated in November with bad loans declining below €6 billion, marking a reduction of €710 million compared with the previous month.

The health ministry on Saturday announced that the vaccination of people who are not Gesy beneficiaries has started, while also marking the 100,000 vaccinations administered so far.

The decision taken yesterday by Germany’s Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) to allow the administration of the AstraZeneca vaccine to those aged over 65 years old was met with strong reactions domestically as a result of the bad reputation built up for the vaccine through the early statements issued by German officials downplaying the efficacy of the specific jab.

The Cyprus IT Community on Thursday announced its formal partnership with the Lebanese IT Syndicate, as an increasing number of Lebanese tech companies consider relocation to the island.

Legislators will soon have to decide whether to accept a Cabinet proposal for an island-wide referendum on local government reform to be held on the same day as the May 30 parliamentary elections.

Transport Minister Yiannis Karousos on Thursday unveiled an upgrade to the postal services which he hailed as a flagship project that will smooth Cyprus Post’s entry into the digital age.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) conducted specialized laboratory tests on another 94 Covid-19 positive samples, sent from Cyprus for sequencing SARS-CoV-2 variants, the ministry of health announced.

The Republic of Cyprus will allow British tourists who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 to fly in without any restrictions starting May 1, joining the ranks of Israeli nationals who will also start visiting the island on a special green pass.

Vaccinations have turned into the main economic tool for the management of the coronavirus crisis and the prospects for recovery, Minister of Finance Constantinos Petrides said, stating that he foresees a strong recovery in 2021 ranging from 3.5% to 4.5% of GDP, depending on the development of the pandemic.