Day: March 24, 2022

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Urgent letter to the European Commission by the Interior Minister on mass arrivals of migrants

Interior Minister Nicos Nouris said on Thursday he was to send an urgent letter to the European Commission, along with evidence proving the mass influx of migrants to the Republic through Turkey, to highlight the extent of the problem faced by the country.

Following a meeting with a delegation from AKEL headed by its leader, Stefanos Stefanou, the Minister said he briefed the main opposition party of his intention to draft a letter accompanied by evidence, as he said, “which clearly shows that these people have arrived via Istanbul at the Turkish occupied airport of Tymbou, after receiving a 60-day residence visa from the occupying authorities, and crossed into the free areas via the Green Line.”

Nouris expressed concerns, pointing out that 4,793 people have applied for asylum in the first months of 2022, while for 2021 the total was 13,500.

Source: Cyprus News agency

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Tourism Deputy Minister reports “good signs” from Scandinavia and Switzerland

There are good sings from Scandinavian countries and Switzerland, as these markets are expected to boost the Cyprus tourism industry this year, offsetting some of the losses by Russian and Ukraine amidst the Ukrainian crisis, Deputy Minister for Tourism Savvas Perdios told CNA.

Perdios travelled to Sweden and Switzerland for contacts with tourist stakeholders. Cyprus is trying to replace tourist losses from Russia, the island’s second largest tourist market, due to Russia’s invasion to Ukraine and the ensuing sanctions imposed by the West against Moscow.

Source: Cyprus News agency

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Unvaccinated people have up to 25% highter risk to be hospitalised than vaccinated, official data show

The risk of hospital admission for COVID patients who are unvaccinated is from 6 to 25% higher than for vaccinated people, according to figures the Health Ministry released on Thursday. These figures are up to March 23 and post COVID patients still receiving treatment are not included.

The Ministry`s press release says that the data are published in an effort to give correct information to the public and maximise transparency.

Source: Cyprus News agency

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Cyprus announces 5,186 new COVID cases Thursday, 151 patients are in hospital

Cyprus Health Ministry announced on Thursday 5,186 new COVID cases and 151 hospitalisations. Total deaths remain at 922 and cases rose to 397,205. Positivity rate stands at 5.02%.

Of the 151 patients, 24 are in serious condition, of whom 7 are in intubated and 17 in an ACU.

Figures show that 52.32% of the patients are unvaccinated. Twenty patients who are no longer infectious, are still intubated in an ICU.

Today a total of 103,263 tests were carried out of which 3,859 were PCR and 99,404 rapid.

Of the PCR tests, 498 cases were diagnosed (Positivity Rate PR 12.9%).

Of the rapid tests 4,688 cases were detected (PR 4.72%).

In the framework of contact tracing a total of 366 PCR tests were conducted and 61 cases were diagnosed (PR 16.67%) and a total of 802 rapid tests were carried out of which 125 came back positive (

Source: Cyprus News agency

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Multinational aeronautical exercise NOBLE DINA wraps up

The annual multinational aeronautical exercise “NOBLE DINA – 2022” wrapped up on Thursday, with the participation of vessels and aircraft of the Armed Forces of Cyprus, Greece, the USA, France and Israel, which was the host country. The exercise took place from 20 to 24 March in the framework of the implementation of the bilateral defence cooperation program between Cyprus and Israel and took place in the sea area southwest of Cyprus.

A press release by the Ministry of Defence says that the scenario of the exercise included various training activities in the marine environment, such as regular movements and advanced manoeuvres, warships, anti-submarine warfare and aeronautical cooperation operations, as well as research and rescue drills under the aegis of the joint rescue coordination centre (JRCC) of the Republic of Cyprus.

Source: Cyprus News agency

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Cyprus must find its place in renewed peace architecture and contribute to EU’s energy independence, President says

Cyprus must find its place in a renewed architecture for the protection of the security and values of Europe, President Anastasiades said in a post on Twitter during the first part of the European Council.

Anastasiades also underlined that Cyprus can contribute to the EU’s energy independence through the creation of energy corridors for the export of natural gas and cleaner energy to EU markets.

He also mentioned that it will be his privilege to be one of the leaders to address US President Joe Biden, noting that Biden is “an old friend.

Source: Cyprus News agency

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Ukrainians fleeing war and arriving to Cyprus up to 180 daily, more than 1,200 applications for protection

There is a total of 100-180 arrivals of refugees to Cyprus daily from war torn Ukraine, Interior Minister Nicos Nouris said on Thursday adding that applications for temporary protection status have reached 1,232 but the Ministry is ready to manage an influx of applications.

Speaking after a meeting with an AKEL delegation, Nouris said that there is a bigger number of Ukrainians arriving on the island compared to the applications that have reached the Ministry so far. He explained that some of the refugees find accommodation in houses of friends already residing here, adding however that this is a temporary settlement.

Source: Cyprus News agency