The government on Tuesday temporarily reduced VAT charges to five per cent from nine per cent for hotels, restaurants and taxi transport. The move is intended to support the tourism industry with a boost in revenues – the reduction is not likely to be passed on to the customer.

Nearly seven in ten (65%) companies say they lack a sustainable data and technology plan to implement their tax and finance function’s purpose and vision. Companies also face a challenging environment characterized by unprecedented legislative and regulatory change, significant talent challenges and the need to do more with less, only magnified by the impact of COVID-19. This is according to a new EY Tax and Finance Operate report that surveyed 1,013 organizations globally.

A committee has been set up to examine requests for special permission to enter the Republic of Cyprus for persons who are travelling from countries that are not listed in Group A and B, the Interior Ministry has announced.

Cyprus tertiary education students completed their academic year as expected with institutions adjusting to distance education and assessment, Education Minister Prodromos Prodromou said on Friday.

Easyjet confirmed on Tuesday that flights from London to Cyprus, mainly in July, were mostly sold out, as the Cyprus Mail reported on Monday. But the airline added that flight capacity would vary – meaning that a full flight might not have all seats sold out – varying demand is the issue.

President of the Republic Nicos Anastasiades, exercising the powers conferred upon him by the Constitution, decided Tuesday to appoint the current justice minister Giorgos Savvides as the new state attorney-general, and the current defence minister Savvas Angelides as deputy attorney-general.

During a teleconference with his European counterparts last Friday, President Nicos Anastasiades underlined the need for a timely adoption of the new EU budget in the framework of the European Council. The President elaborated on the major challenges of the Cypriot economy in the aftermath of the pandemic and kindly requested further EU support.

The deputy ministry for tourism published on Monday an updated version of the Covid-19 Destination Protocol that includes useful information for tourists and visitors.

The last patient with coronavirus being treated at the reference hospital of the Famagusta general hospital, an 80-year-old man, was discharged on Monday morning, among a round of applause by the morning shift of the ward.

A government-sponsored coronavirus testing scheme for 10,000 employees who returned to work under phase two and three of lifting lockdown is underway, said the Health Ministry on Monday.