CORONAVIRUS - CYPRUS' SAFE PLACE STATUS BACKFIRING AFTER TOUR OPERATORS REFUSE TO COME

Cyprus Mail 15 July 2020 - by Bejay Browne

Ayia Napa's Nissi beach is normally packed this time of the year (Christos Theodorides)

Test us, and we’re not coming say big UK tour operators

By Bejay Browne and Andria Kades

Tourism deputy minister Savvas Perdios conceded on Wednesday that Cyprus’ marketing of itself as a safe country which dealt with the coronavirus pandemic well has become a double-edged sword after major UK tour operators said they would not fly to Cyprus if tests are required.

“At least until mid-August, major travel agents will be sending their tourists to destinations which do not require tests,” Perdios told CyBC on Wednesday.

“Travel agents have other options and expectations. Seeing as there are options for them to go to other countries without checks and a test, they prefer the solution which for the time being is easier for them. Having said that, I do not mean that Cyprus needs to follow suit.”

Tour operators Tui and Jet2 announced on Tuesday that they will not fly to Cyprus unless the UK is moved to category A from August 1, meaning British holidaymakers would be allowed on the island without taking or providing a negative coronavirus test.

At present the UK remains in the category C list of countries which cannot fly to Cyprus. From August 1, however, the government is poised to move it into category B which means UK visitors can enter Cyprus but only if they have a negative Covid-19 test taken within 72 hours of departure.

But on Tuesday, it became clear that this was not acceptable to tour operators. It was category A or nothing.

“The volume drivers (Tui and Jet2) announced that they would be rescheduling their UK flights to Cyprus and will not bring flights here until August 15, and only if we put the UK into category A. If we don’t do that, we aren’t going to have any flights with them,” Euripides Loizides, spokesman of the Paphos Hoteliers told the Cyprus Mail on Wednesday.

Tui and Jet2 are the main tour operators for Cyprus, especially Paphos and many hotels are reliant on their custom he said.

Ryanair and other airlines will fly from the UK as it stands, he said, adding that hoteliers are waiting for the official government announcement which will state which countries will be in Category A and B and where the UK will stand.

“But they also said that since saying that the UK will be in category B with a test, they have massive cancellations.”

Reports last week that visitors from category B countries might be offered free tests on arrival at Larnaca and Paphos airports from the beginning of August, subsidised by the government and the hoteliers, have not sweetened the pot.

First, the government has not taken a final decision on this, and second, even if they were to be offered, tour operators say it was not enough of an inducement.

Chairman of the Cyprus travel agents’ association (Acta) Vasilis Stamataris told the Cyprus Mail that travel agents still prefer destinations which simply do not require a test.

“There are a lot of logistics involved. When there is an organised schedule it requires commitments, guarantees, confirmed flights. It is a huge ordeal if upon arrival to Cyprus, someone ends up testing positive.”

Meanwhile, the cost of taking the test in the UK for a family of four prior to their arrival could amount to some €800.

Perdios said they had tried to approach laboratories in the UK to make an arrangement, but it was proving to be difficult.

It appears that even the government’s announcement that if someone tests positive upon arrival the state will handle their quarantine expenses, has not done much to appease the big agents nor has the offer of results in around one hour or one-and-a-half so as to limit the hassle to tourists.

Countries like Spain, for instance, are letting tourists in without requiring a negative coronavirus test and it is therefore easier for travel agents to choose these kinds of destinations, Stamataris said.

The focus now remains on individual travellers, who according to Perdios, were doing quite well in terms of arrivals from category A countries.

The government policy is focused on two things: the health and safety of the visitors and the health and safety of the locals, Stamataris said.

Cyprus has worked hard to contain the pandemic and it would be risky to open up its borders only to see a situation unfold that would require another lockdown he said

“If the fight in airports is lost, then the war against the coronavirus is lost,” virologist and member of the government’s scientific advisory team Leontios Kostrikis said earlier this week as he stressed the need for more airport testing.

The government announced earlier this week it will double the daily number of random tests to arrivals to 600 per day. Authorities are also set to begin pool testing, where small groups of people are tested using only one test.

It is a faster method where samples from several individuals are mixed together and tested as one. If positive, the pool members are retested individually.

Lozides voiced his frustration over the way the tour operators are acting when health should be paramount.

“We have to face it and be responsible for ourselves and others. We can’t do what we want to do and have to follow some safety steps. People can still have a lovely holiday. The introductions of wearing a mask in both Germany and the UK is an indication that people have to understand that this is what has to be done and not be arrogant. We all have to compromise.”

Loizides questioned why he and other hoteliers should be held over a barrel to accept holidaymakers at hotels with no testing as there are staff and other clients to consider.

Empty pool at The Mayfair in Paphos

On Wednesday, there were no customers at Loizides’ Paphos hotel, The Mayfair, and an eerie silence surrounded the empty lobby and pristine pools, and sunbeds and umbrellas well- spaced and laid out to welcome non-existent visitors. This time last year, the hotel was heaving with hundreds of guests, and this is the same picture for many of the hotels in Paphos.

With the hope of arrival numbers from the UK in August dwindling, hotels must now look even more seriously to the local market and passengers arriving from category A, countries, he said.

Loizides added that all licensed hotels that are open in Paphos have special offers available and if the public telephone the establishment directly, they will get the best offer possible.

“Paphos has great deals, currently my hotel, The Mayfair, is 55 euros for a room week days until August 6.”

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CORONAVIRUS - NORTH ALLOWS UK VISITORS FROM THURSDAY

Cyprus Mail 15 July 2020 -by Evie Andreou

Thermal cameras at Tymbou (Ercan) airport

Turkish Cypriot authorities confirmed on Wednesday that arrivals from the UK to the north will start on Thursday, but passengers must quarantine for seven days.

Passengers from the UK will also have to present a negative coronavirus test certificate. They are required to get tested between three to five days prior to their flight. Upon their arrival in the north, they will be tested for a second time and then they will be quarantined for seven days. After that, they will be tested for a third time.

Turkish Cypriots will be exempt from the quarantine costs, but anyone else arriving from the UK will have the bear both the costs of the test and quarantine.

The ‘health ministry’ said the decision to allow passengers from the UK was due to the decrease in the number of cases in that country.

Since July 1, when the north started allowing in tourists, nine more cases were reported after more than two months of no new cases announcements. No new cases were announced on Wednesday with the total number being at 117 cases.

The Greek Cypriot side is poised to include UK in category B on August 1 if the downward trend in cases continues.  This will mean arrivals have to provide a negative test on arrival.

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SPAT OVER PAPHOS' NEW PARKING FEES

Cyprus Mail 16 July 2020 - by Bejay Browne

No more free parking by the library because cars were parked there for days

Paphos municipality has hit back at criticism after they introduced parking charges at two of the town’s central car parks.

Both local residents and media have been vocal about the imposition of parking fees at the municipal parking lots behind the former Paphos police department and the car park at the rear of the municipal library.

The municipality announced that before the specific fees were imposed, they made sure that the adjacent space of the nearby primary school remains open 24 hours a day with free parking for the use of the public. This area can serve up to 300 cars, they said.

“The imposition of a parking fee in these two areas is imperative for two main reasons, the first to increase the available spaces, which were occupied for hours or even days by people who parked there causing constant congestion of the space, and secondly, in order to cover at least the costs of maintenance, cleaning, greenery and lighting,” the municipality announced.

The income from these fees is not a profit and will only be used to cover the necessary maintenance costs.

“This is evidenced by the low charge of 1 euro for 4 hours, and 1 euro for one hour in the two spaces respectively,” they added.

For those unable to pay, it was decided that the car park close to the school will operate free of charge.

However, many locals are unhappy with the new charges, saying it is a negative development in an area where there is already little footfall or available car parks.

“I have worked in the old town for a number of years and the parking situation is getting worse. They are creating even more double yellow lines and issuing tickets all of the time, but mostly there is nowhere to park. Why should I pay to park my car, is eats into my wages, it’s just another way for the municipality to make money,” one unhappy car owner told the Cyprus Mail, adding that every morning he goes through ‘hell’ to find somewhere to park.

“These spaces should be free. Who can afford to pay these charges every day? It will also put people off from visiting the old town and doing their shopping there,” said another.

But the municipality said the new tariffs are working well and freeing up spaces from those that were previously hogging them.

 

 

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CYPRUS TAX SYSTEM ATTACK CONFIRMED

Cyprus Mail 16 July 2020 - by Andrew Rosenbaum

The Euro symbol is illuminated in front of the Eurotower (R), former seat of the European Central Bank

Cyprus is indeed one of the targets of the European Commission’s plan to attack low-tax Member States – and that plan is most likely to go ahead, sources told the Cyprus Mail on Wednesday.

“This is being driven by France and Germany,” warned a top official at the Cyprus Ministry for Foreign Affairs. “There is a strong possibility that the move will go forward as Germany and France are really up for it.”

“There has long been ongoing action taken against low-tax jurisdictions outside the EU, and this move targeting Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Cyprus and Ireland was bound to happen,” agrees Zsolt Darvas, an analyst with Bruegel consultancy in Brussels. Darvas points out that an estimated 50 per cent of the world’s cross-border assets and liabilities ($21-$32 trillion) pass through such jurisdictions (inside and outside of the EU).

“The German presidency will take this very seriously,” he added, “As Germany has been an outspoken critic of low-tax jurisdictions.”

But not all experts agreed that the move was fair; according to Marios Andreou, partner, head of Tax Advisory at PwC Cyprus, there is no call for such actions for Cyprus.

“Cyprus has a transparent and simple tax system with no “schemes.” In addition, as a result of suggestions from the Commission, Cyprus is now proceeding with amendments to its tax laws to introduce an incorporation test as a tax residency criterion and to introduce withholding taxes on payments to countries which are on the list of non-cooperative countries.”

Andreou notes that the Commission has a pressing need for funding.

“Post Covid-19 there is even more urgency by the Commission to follow through the BEPS agenda and ensure taxes are collected to finance the needs that have arisen from the pandemic. We understand that the priorities focus on Digital taxation and the Green Deal, but other areas will be looked at as well.”

And the official at the Cyprus Foreign Ministry said that there would certainly be opposition from the targeted Member States.

“However, Germany may prevail,” the official continued. “For sure there will be resistance, but after the departure of the UK, they (Germany) may push the proposal through by making some deals, or possibly by tying it up with the recovery fund, etc”

One aspect of the plan impressed analysts: The move to use Article 116 of the  Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which covers Internal Market policies. “This kind of low-tax jurisdiction is clearly a distortion of the Single Market,” Darvas said.

The next step will be to watch for a formal proposal by the Commission for an action of this kind. The use of Article 116 allows the commission to propose a directive designed to correct distorting tax schemes and sue governments at the European Court of Justice if they do not comply.

This does not mean that Cyprus will no longer have any voice in the matter, noted Dimitris Pap0utsis, a lawyer with Elias Neocleous & Co.

“If Cyprus is to suffer a change to its tax system, causing an outflow of capital, then there should be some quid pro quo,” he says.

 

 

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PAPHOS TRIUMPHS IN LIVE MUSIC GIGS

Cyprus Mail 16 July 2020 - by Eleni Philippou

The Dots

The live music scene in Paphos has picked up rather quickly after the lockdown with a growing number of weekly events. Pubs, restaurants, cultural centres and bars have reinstated music gigs to their agenda and July seems to be an active month for Paphos-based musicians.

The weekends gather the most live performances ranging from pop Greek to acoustic covers and the return of jazz bands. In the next two weeks, the island’s west coast has plenty in store.

Friday, July 17

Female vocal duo The Dots will be at Darcy’s Restaurant in Peyia introducing their brand-new loco Latin show. The duo is made up of Ingido and Louise who always aim to enchant with their beautiful harmonies and to create a fun vibe. Also in Peyia at The Brewery Bar award-winning singer Celia Stavri and one of the island’s best-known guitarists Dominik the Storyteller will present a three-hour musical adventure through hits with a guitar twist. Together they’re called the New Rules Duo and they plan to take the stage at 7pm.

Angelika Restaurant in Chlorakas will be all about blues this Friday as it welcomes Tony Blues for a night of soul, rhythm and well… blues. Tony’s set is called Committed to Blues and it includes beloved music from the Stax of Souls era, the precursor to Motown. Mixed in with some of the best chilled and rockin’ blues music as made popular by the infamous Blues Brothers and friends. Featuring songs from amazing artists and bands including Wilson Pickett, Otis Redding, The Commitments, The Blues Brothers, Sam & Dave, Arthur Conley, Van Morrison and many more.

The Kards

If it’s pop music you’re after this Friday The Kards will be playing covers from T-Rex to Lady Gaga, ELO to Kelly Clarkson, The Beatles to Bruno Mars and many more that will make you want to hit the dance floor. The band aims to provide an entertaining mix of well-known tunes and songs across a broad selection of artists and bands. On July 17, they will be at the Hogshead Pub with their (free) show starting at 8pm.

Saturday, July 25

Next week live music evenings range from film soundtracks to reggae tunes and cover bands. Singers Anastasia Maximova and Darian Storm are preparing a daytime performance at Paliomonastiro Cafe Restaurant dedicated to iconic songs and themes from the movies performed live on stage by a rock-party band. “The music will be accompanied by exciting themed video projections,” say the organisers, “a magical encounter between sound and video that will leave you breathless.”

Down at Emba, the six-piece band Mr Wilson will be grooving at the Hogshead Pub with some Reggae – Funk music. “Come along and join us on this groovy day full of good and positive vibes,” they say. Their performance is free and is scheduled to begin at 7pm.

 

The Dots

Female vocal duo. July 17. Darcy’s Restaurant in Peyia, Paphos. 7pm. Free. Reservations: 26-936926

New Rules Duo

Singer Celia Stavri and Dominik the Storyteller on guitar. July 17. The Brewery, Peyia, Paphos. 7pm. Tel: 99-633338

Committed to Blues

Blues night with Tony Blues. July 17. Angelika Restaurant, Chlorakas, Paphos. 8pm. €25 including three-course buffet, €15 for show. Tel: 96-818066

The Kards

Cover band live. July 17. Hogshead Pub, Emba, Paphos. Free. 8pm. Tel: 99-99449

Mr Wilson

Reggae-funk 6-piece band. July 25. Hogshead Pub, Emba, Paphos. Free. 7pm. Tel: 99-99449

Movies in Concert

With Anastasia Maximova and Darian Storm. July 25. Paliomonastiro Cafe Restaurant, Peyia, Paphos. 3pm. €20 including buffet. Tel: 99-463227

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THURSDAY JULY 16 - CORONAVIRUS GLOBAL UPDATE

in-cyprus 16 July 2020 -ByAnnie Charalambous

The leading U.S. expert on infectious diseases, Dr. Anthony Fauci, has predicted that the country will meet its goal of having a coronavirus vaccine by year’s end. While there are no guarantees, “I feel good about the projected timetable,” Fauci told Reuters.

Many experts see a safe and effective vaccine as the only way out of the pandemic that has infected millions and killed more than 575,000 people worldwide.

Even if a vaccine succeeds in provoking an immune response, Fauci said it is still not clear how long that protection will last. “These are questions that don’t have answers right now, because we’re only six months into the outbreak.”

He said it may take a year before that immunity question is answered.

No Beijing without Tokyo

If the postponed Tokyo Olympics do not go ahead next year due to COVID-19 then the 2022 Beijing Winter Games will likely also fall victim to the pandemic, said long-time International Olympic Committee member Dick Pound.

The Beijing Winter Olympics are scheduled for Feb. 4 to 20, 2022, just six months after the Tokyo Summer Games, which are now set to be held from July 23 to Aug. 8, 2021 after being pushed back a year.

Pound, a Canadian lawyer who has served as both an IOC vice-president and head of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), also speculated on a range of scenarios, including one where a threat to the Beijing Games is not so much a U.S. boycott, but one where China might consider barring the U.S. from taking part if the country cannot gain control over the virus.

“That is an extreme supposition. There are all kinds of crazy things that could happen,” he said.

Reopening fears

Canada’s efforts to flatten the curve of coronavirus cases have put the country on the cusp of zero deaths from COVID-19 for the first time since March, but officials see worrying signs of a new spike as provinces lift restrictions, after months of Canadians following strict public health rules on social movement.

“Opening up the economy is not a linear path,” said Dr. Isaac Bogoch, an infectious disease specialist at Toronto General Hospital. “There will be setbacks (and) we will very likely have to reimpose public health restrictions in certain areas because of an unacceptable number of new cases.”

“We did so much work to keep the number of cases down,” said Alex Magdzinski, a Montreal nurse who treated COVID patients at a nursing home. “All healthcare workers are asking (people) is to put in a minimal effort.”

Cirque du Soleil eyes return to high-wire

As the coronavirus pandemic ripped around the globe, Cirque du Soleil, a circus troupe formed by Quebec street performers that has become a global powerhouse, saw most of its operations grind to a halt in barely 48 hours.

This month, the company, internationally renowned for extravagant shows featuring acrobats, jugglers, firebreathers and musicians, filed for bankruptcy protection and is close to reaching a restructuring deal.

Some green shoots of recovery are afoot with the resumption of its Land of Fantasy show in Hangzhou, China. “When we stepped on the stage again, we felt almost the same (as) when we made our debut in last August,” said performer He Guowei who specialises in body-juggling. “The effort we made during this time was not in vain.”

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Susumu

Susumu

Fundoshi Modeling Summer 2019

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TWO NEW COVID-19 CASES, ONE TRAVELLER, ONE CONTACT

in-cyprus 15 July 2020 -ByBouli Hadjioannou

Two people have tested positive for coronavirus, one of them a traveller who came from Romania and the second a contact of a previously confirmed case.

The Health Ministry said that a total of 1658 tests were carried out. The two new cases brings the total of Covid-19 cases in Cyprus to 1025.

Specifically, in its Wednesday announcement, the Health Ministry said the two cases were detected as follows:

• One from 658 tests of passengers and repatriates. The person arrived from Romania (Group B) on July 14.
• One from 394 tests through private initiative. The individual is a contact of an employee of a Limassol gym who tested positive on Monday and underwent the test privately.

In addition, the following tests were carried out, all with negative results:

• 87 tests from the programme of 10,000 employees who returned to work with phase two and three of the reopening of the economy
• 244 tests from referrals by personal doctors and checks of special groups through public health clinics
• 53 tests from tracing of contacts of already confirmed case
• 1 test from the Justice Ministry’s programme of court employees
• 2 tests from migrants
• 108 from the Defence Ministry’s programme of new conscripts
• 111 from hospital labs

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CAPTAIN SIR TOM MOORE SAYS PERSONAL INVESTITURE WILL BE 'MOST SPECIAL OF DAYS'

pa media 15 July 2020 -By Laura Elston, PA Court Reporter

© Cpl Robert Weidemane/MoD/Crown Copyright Captain Sir Tom Moore will travel to Windsor on Friday (Cpl Robert Weidemane/MoD/Crown Copyright/PA)

Fundraising hero Captain Sir Tom Moore has said being knighted by the Queen in his own personal open-air ceremony will be “the most special of days for me”.

The 100-year-old Second World War veteran will travel to Windsor Castle on Friday with members of his family for the unprecedented investiture.

Captain Sir Tom raised almost £33 million for health service charities by walking laps of his Bedfordshire garden.

He won the hearts of the nation for his determination after originally setting out to raise just £1,000.

In a message on his official Twitter account, Captain Sir Tom said: “I could never have imagined this would happen to me.

“It is such a huge honour and I am very much looking forward to meeting Her Majesty The Queen.

“It is going to be the most special of days for me.”

His words were followed with the hashtag #FridayWillBeAGoodDay.

Royal investitures were put on hold during the pandemic and those scheduled to take place at Buckingham Palace and at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh in June and July were postponed.

© Provided by PA Media Captain Sir Tom Moore will be joined by his grandson Benji, daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore, and granddaughter Georgia (Joe Giddens/PA)

But the 94-year-old Queen, who has been staying at Windsor since before lockdown for her safety, will carry out the official engagement in person – rare for the monarch during the coronavirus crisis – making a special exception to honour Captain Sir Tom.

A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said: “On occasion, the Queen invests individuals privately during audiences.

“Captain Sir Tom Moore’s knighthood was, exceptionally, announced individually by the Prime Minister, outside of the usual announcements of the Queen’s Birthday Honours and the New Year Honours.

“Captain Sir Tom and his family were hopeful the investiture could take place in a timely fashion and we are pleased it has been possible on this occasion.”

© Provided by PA Media The Queen during a ceremony at Windsor to mark her official birthday in June (Toby Melville/PA)

The open-air ceremony will be staged in the castle’s quadrangle, where a military ceremony was held for the Queen’s official birthday in June.

Buckingham Palace said it believes it is the first time this “unique” format will have taken place, amid the exceptional circumstances of the pandemic and the announcement of Captain Sir Tom’s individual knighthood by Downing Street.

The Queen will use the sword that belonged to her father, King George VI, and will present Captain Sir Tom with the insignia of Knight Bachelor.

The insignia, which hangs on a red ribbon edged in gold and is usually placed around the recipient’s neck, will be part of the ceremony, but the Palace is still looking at how best to abide by social distancing rules.

© Provided by PA Media The Second World War veteran celebrating his 100th birthday (Emma Sohl/Capture the Light Photography/PA)

“The ceremony will be held in line with all the appropriate government advice, adhering to strict social distancing guidelines,” the spokeswoman said.

The monarch has been staying at Windsor with the Duke of Edinburgh and a reduced household dubbed HMS Bubble.

Outdoor investitures are very rare.

The Queen formally invested her son, the Prince of Wales, with his title in 1969 in the grounds of Caernarfon Castle in a grand ceremony, but this was attended by hundreds of guests.

© Provided by PA Media The scene at Caernarfon Castle for the investiture of the Prince of Wales (PA)

The monarch has also occasionally carried out investitures outside on overseas tours, but ceremonies usually take place inside royal residences.

In 1954, the Queen knighted the Councillor of the Kathiri State in Eastern Aden in an open-air ceremony during a Commonwealth tour.

Joining Captain Sir Tom for the ceremony will be his daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore, son-in-law Colin Ingram, grandson Benji and granddaughter Georgia.

A wet weather contingency plan is in place, although sunshine and warm temperatures are forecast for Windsor on Friday.

© Provided by PA Media The Queen bestowing a knighthood on Seiyid Bubakr Bin Sheikh Al Kaf, Councillor of the Kathiri State in Eastern Aden, at an open-air investiture in 1954 (PA)

Such is the popularity of Captain Sir Tom that members of the public are being asked not to attend Windsor town centre or gather in the hope of seeing any of the ceremony, which will not be visible from any external viewpoint.

The investiture will take place entirely within the confines of Windsor Castle, with no viewing positions for the public.

The numbers involved will be kept to a minimum, without a military band.

© Provided by PA Media Captain Sir Tom Moore is looking forward to the special ceremony (Joe Giddens/PA)

Afterwards, Captain Sir Tom and his family will be served refreshments inside the Castle, but the Queen will only be attending the ceremony.

Philip, 99, who retired from public duties in 2017, will not be present.

Captain Sir Tom marked his milestone 100th birthday in April, receiving congratulations from the Queen, Prime Minister Boris Johnson, former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan and many more well-wishers.

He was sent more than 125,000 cards from across the globe.

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BRITAIN SHOWING TOO LITTLE REALISM OVER EU TALKS - GERMAN MINISTER

Reuters 15 July 2020 

© Reuters/POOL Minister of State for Europe at the German Federal Foreign Office Roth gives statement for media in Berlin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Talks on Britain's future relationship with the European Union will be a major topic of bloc business from September, but until now Britain has shown insufficient realism about what can be achieved, Germany's Europe Minister Michael Roth said.

Roth was speaking before a meeting of the bloc's foreign ministers, which he will chair, since Germany holds the EU's rotating presidency until the end of the year.

Britain continues to participate in many EU structures until the so-called transition period ends on December 31, by which time a new agreement on ties must be in place if serious commercial and logistic disruption is to be avoided.

(Reporting by Thomas Escritt; Editing by Michelle Martin)

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