The EU considers the safety and effectiveness of a vaccine against Covid-19 more important than the speed with which it has been approved, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Stella Kyriakides has told CNA, noting at the same time that Covid-19 vaccines have undergone and will continue to undergo rigorous scientific review before and after they are available for use.

Restriction measures will be maintained even after vaccinations begin, as it won’t be until the summer until a safe percentage of the population is vaccinated, member of the government’s health advisory committee Dr Constantinos Tsioutis told the Cyprus News Agency on Wednesday.

The health ministry issued on Friday general instructions to the public ahead of the arrival to Cyprus of the first batch of the Pfizer-BioNTech jab on Boxing Day and released a photo of the vaccination card.

Cyprus on Sunday started vaccinating its population against Covid-19 as part of an intensified drive across the European Union to curb the pandemic which has destroyed lives and its economy.

Leptos Estates ends another record year with three European Property Awards in recognition for the company’s high-level product, service, originality, innovation and commitment to sustainability.

The Ministerial Council meeting which decided on easing of coronavirus-related restrictions on Christmas and New Year festivities has been concluded.

The Cyprus Employers Federation (OEB) announced on Tuesday that the maximum insurable earnings will increase as from January 4, 2021.

Health officials in the Republic of Cyprus are gearing up for the first phase of immunization against the novel coronavirus, with reports suggesting the start of the process could be slowing down before it evens begins on Sunday.

The Cabinet on Tuesday agreed on a blanket ban on thin plastic bags at points of sale, with the decision to come into force once passed by the House plenum.

The Council of Ministers approved on Tuesday the bill ratifying the statute of the international organisation EMGF (East Mediterranean Gas Forum).