Speaking to Sky News, Perdios said the decision to exclude the UK as a source country of origin of flights permitted to Cyprus is purely one based on epidemiological and scientific data.
Britain is the island’s largest tourist market, making up around a third of its 4 million annual visitors.
“I do expect that to change in the next few weeks because our evaluation method is ongoing and takes place once a week.
As the epidemiological situation of the UK and other countries abroad improves, there is every chance they will be able to be included in Category B or Category A that are allowed to fly to the island… I do feel it is a matter of weeks,” said Perdios.
He also pointed out government policy to cover the costs of any visitor that displays symptoms of coronavirus while on holiday and subsequently tests positive, which means the individual, family or close contacts should be isolated.
“As people will want to book their holidays we feel one of the key questions they are going to be asking themselves is ‘what happens if while I’m on holiday I show symptoms and then I test positive for the virus; who is going to cover that expense, who is going to take care of me?’.
We wanted to create this package so people don’t feel afraid of that. We wanted to say that we will be there to take care of them and that they don’t need to worry about who is going to cover the cost,” Perdios said.
He said this policy also means that a hotel will not be quarantined if a visitor falls ill with the virus, but that they and their contacts will be moved to designated accommodation free of charge.
On the UK imposing a 14-day quarantine for international arrivals from Monday, Perdios said: “I certainly hope this is something that will be re-evaluated in the coming weeks.
“I’m very confident that from some point in July and onwards people who live in the UK will be able to holiday as usual in Cyprus.”
Cyprus will open its airports on June 9 but only allow a small band of 13 countries entry – including Israel, Germany and Greece – but visitors will need to provide proof they are COVID-19 negative.
Source: Financial Mirror
