A second lockdown in January saw economic sentiment in Cyprus deteriorate with confidence shaken by the closure of non-essential shops and businesses.

The council of ministers on Wednesday approved a plan by the deputy ministry of tourism aimed at boosting rural and mountain tourism.

The ministry of transport announced on Wednesday that the Cabinet decided to extend the Covid-curbing measures governing airports and flights until March 1.

The Council of Ministers on Wednesday approved a bill for the establishment of a Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare in Cyprus, the deputy government spokesperson Panayiotis Sentonas said in a written statement on Wednesday.

The government on Wednesday announced the easing of Covid restrictions, including reopening hairdressers and beauticians on Monday and primary schools and the retail sector on February 8.

Cyprus ranks in the top 10 countries in a Covid Performance Index of almost 100 countries for their successful handling of the coronavirus pandemic, according to Reuters.

Health Minister Constantinos Ioannou said Wednesday that the Republic is aiming toward reaching the 100,000 mark in number of people vaccinated by the end of March.

The Open University of Cyprus (OUC) participates in a new research project entitled Instant: Intelligent platform for providing Staffing and Training in the Hotel Industry. The Instant project secured funding of approximately €800,000 in the framework of the Restart 2016-2020 Programme financed by the Cypriot Research Promotion Foundation, and has a duration of three years (2020-2023).

Plans to upgrade houses, making them more energy efficient, were presented today by Natasa Pilides, the Minister of Energy, Trade and Industry.

Following the approval of the revised state budget the Finance Minister will begin as of Monday, 1 February the one-off payment to the companies that have been affected by the pandemic, aiming to cover their operating expenses and strengthen the liquidity of the market.