The cabinet on Thursday approved a bill suspending repayment of loans for nine months and a €2 billion stimulus plan in a bid to boost liquidity in the economy amid the ongoing crisis caused by the coronavirus epidemic.

People wishing to get tested for Covid-19 may now do so on their own initiative and expense by visiting private labs, the health ministry said Thursday.

The health ministry on Friday urged the public not to go to public health centres or visit their personal physicians (GPs) if they do not first make an appointment.

Israel has agreed to send 50 respirators to Cyprus while the government is sending quantities of the anti-malaria drug chloroquine there in return, it was announced on Friday.

Amid the coronavirus outbreak in Cyprus, the government is discussing a plan with local banks to provide state guarantees of up to 2 billion euros aiming to unlock credit to self-employed, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and large corporations, affected by the coronavirus lockdown.

Man of War, the second Hollywood film by director and producer Dimitri Logothetis, continues in its pre-production stage according to plan, despite the global Covid-19 pandemic, those behind the project announced on Thursday.

AstroBank has announced a scheme that would allow a suspension of mortgage payments for non-delinquent borrowers between March and November 2020.

JCC announced on Tuesday that it will raise the limit from €20 to €50 before a pin number has to be used for payments made with cards.

Strict measures imposed on people movement seek to break the chain of virus transmission and slow the Cyprus outbreak that has claimed three deaths, said Interior Minister Nicos Nouris.

Eight more confirmed cases of coronavirus were announced on Wednesday, bringing the total to 132 in the government-controlled areas.