The Time Of King Juan Carlos In Spain Is On The Wane

King Emeritus Juan Carlos of Spain has sent a letter to his son King Felipe VI stating that Juan Carlos will be departing the country. The former Spanish monarch had been living at La Zarzuela Palace.

Indeed, it has now been confirmed by Max Foster of CNN that the king emeritus has already left Spain. Recent mounting criticism of extremely questionable financial and personal actions by Juan Carlos are the most understandable catalyst for this drastic step; indeed, the king abdicated in 2014 amidst declining popularity as reports of misconduct became public knowledge. The letter of don Juan Carlos to his son don Felipe reads as follows:

Your Majesty, dear Felipe:  

With the same desire for service to Spain that inspired my reign and in the face of the public repercussions of certain events from my past private life, I wish to express to you my absolute availability to contribute to facilitating the exercise of your functions, from the tranquility and calmness that your high responsibility requires. My legacy, and my own dignity as a person, demand it of me.

One year ago, I expressed my will and desire to stop participating in institutional activities. Now, guided by the conviction of providing the best service to the Spanish people, their institutions, and to you as the King, I communicate to you my thoughtful decision to move, at this time, outside of Spain. A decision I make with deep feeling, but with great serenity.

I was King of Spain for almost forty years and for all of them I have always wanted the best for Spain and for the Crown. 

With my loyalty forever.  

With my care and affection always, your father.

It is not indicated where don Juan Carlos, who is eighty-two, will be relocating.

Queen doña Sofía will continue to live at La Zarzuela.

¡Adiós, don Juan Carlos!

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LIVING, TRAVELLING AND ACCESSING SERVICES IN CYPRUS POST BREXIT - Essential you formalise your residency without delay

There will be changes to the way that UK nationals can live, travel and access services in Cyprus after 31 December 2020. The below FAQs explain the importance of obtaining or updating your residency status, the benefits that residency gives you and the difference between temporary (MEU1) and permanent residency (MEU3). Please visit the GOV.UK Living in Cyprus guide for further guidance on residence rights in Cyprus and follow our social media pages for further updates.

1. Why do I need a residency document? I’ve lived here for years without one and experienced no problems.

The Withdrawal Agreement that the UK agreed with the EU in 2019, established a transition period until the end of December 2020, during which time UK nationals will continue to be treated in the same way as EU nationals in Cyprus. In order to evidence your rights to live, work, study or access benefits in Cyprus after the end of 2020 you need to apply for residency. If you have been in Cyprus for less than 5 years you should apply for an MEU1 (temporary residency permit). If you have been in Cyprus for over 5 years you should apply for an MEU3 (permanent residency). You will not be penalised if you have been living in Cyprus without residency documents.

You can find all the information on how to apply for your residency document on our Living in Cyprus page.

2. When do I need to apply by?

You should apply before the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020. This is because UK nationals with residency documents will then be able to continue to travel freely into and out of Cyprus on the same basis as EU nationals from January 1 2021. UK nationals who have regularised their residency will also be able to register with GESY – the Cypriot General Healthcare system and be entitled to lifelong healthcare rights for as long as they remain resident in Cyprus. After 31 December 2020, the procedure for residency applications and residency documents is likely to change. The new procedures may be different and the new residency document will have a defined validity in years. The current MEU1 and MEU3 documents do not have an expiry date.

3. Is it a legal requirement to have a residency document in Cyprus?

Yes, all UKNs who plan to stay in Cyprus longer than 90 days must register with the Civil Registry and Immigration Authorities and apply for an MEU residency document.

This includes UK nationals who have bought property in Cyprus and spend more than 90 days here, those who have lived in Cyprus for many years and never registered or have residency documents issued prior to 2004, those who work or study in Cyprus, and those who have retired and chosen to make Cyprus their permanent home.

4. I have an older residency document do I have to apply for an MEU residency document?

Yes. Examples of outdated and invalid residency documents include: a brown residency booklet, a blue slip, a pink slip, an ARC, or an old residency stamp in a UK passport.

All these residency documents and stamps in passports, issued prior to 2004, became invalid when Cyprus entered the EU and initiated the MEU residency document procedures for all nationals of EU Member States living in Cyprus. If you do not update your older residency documents you may experience difficulties re-entering Cyprus or accessing services after 31 December 2020.

5. What is the financial criteria that I need to pass in order to be able to apply for my residency document?

According to the Minimum Guaranteed income funds as provided by the Ministry of Labour (EEE), you will need to be able to provide documentary evidence that you receive a minimum income or pension of over €480 per month.

6. If I don’t have a residency document and remain in Cyprus for longer than 90 days will I have difficulties leaving or returning to Cyprus?

Yes. The rules on travel to and from the Republic of Cyprus will change after 31 December 2020. If you do not have a residency document then you cannot remain in Cyprus for longer than 90 days after this date. If you exceed the 90 day limit, you could face difficulties and/or fines when travelling in and out of Cyprus. As per our Living in Cyprus guide, you are advised to carry your Cyprus-issued residency documents when travelling in/out of Cyprus.

7. What help is there for UKNs who are elderly or vulnerable to register for residency?

UK National Support Fund

On 6 March 2020 the FCO announced funding for organisations to provide practical support to UK nationals who may find it harder to complete their residency applications.

These organisations will help individuals who may find it harder to complete the necessary paperwork to secure their residency rights, including pensioners, disabled people, those living in remote areas or who have mobility difficulties, and those who require help with language translation or interpretation.

In Cyprus, two organisations are providing this practical support: SSAFA (specifically for armed forces veterans) and Cyprus Residency Planning Group (CRPG). If you or someone you know may find it harder to complete the paperwork, you can contact them using the details below to discuss how they may be able to help you.

SSAFA: 800 77058 (freephone)

Mon - Fri 09.00-17.30

ukvie.support@ssafa.org.uk

CRPG: 800 09009 (freephone)

Mon – Fri 09.00-13.00

contactus@cyprus-crpg.org

8. I applied for my MEU residency document months ago and still haven’t received it. What should I do?

We are aware that there are currently delays in the issuance of residency documents. It is important to keep the receipt that you receive when you submit your residency application, as this receipt will enable you to look into the progress of your application by referencing the application number as it appears on the receipt. If you have not received your residency documents after several months, you can enquire into the status of your application through the SMS Service for Information Regarding Applications for Residence Permits by sending a free SMS message to 8999. Send a message with the word STATUS leave a space and add the number of your application.

9. I have been in Cyprus for longer than 5 years and have an MEU1 document, why should I apply for MEU3 permanent residency status?

The MEU3 document allows immediate registration to Cyprus’ General Healthcare system known as GESY. You do not have to be an S1 holder or be contributing to the Cyprus Social Insurance Scheme to register with GESY if you have an MEU3.

If you plan to spend time both in the UK and in Cyprus during the year, an MEU1 allows you to be out of Cyprus for up to 6 months per year whereas, the MEU3 permanent residency status allows up to 5 years out of the country.

10. I have an MEU1 can I register with GESY?

If you have an MEU1, you can only register with GESY if you are an S1 holder, or if you are contributing to Cyprus Social Insurance as an employee or company owner, or if you are voluntarily contributing to the Cyprus Social Insurance Scheme.

We advise you to have comprehensive healthcare cover if you are not entitled to register with GESY. There is more information about GESY on our Living in Cyprus page.

11. I am an early retiree and do not yet have an S1 can I register with GESY if I have an MEU1?

As an MEU1 holder, you can’t register with GESY unless you are currently receiving a state pension as evidenced by the S1 document, or unless you are contributing to the Cyprus Social Insurance Scheme. We advise you to have comprehensive healthcare cover if you are not entitled to register with GESY. More information about state pensions and social assistance benefits can be found on our Living in Cyprus page.

Note if you are a dependant of a pensioner, but under state pension age, you can obtain an S1 and register for GESY.

12. If I have an MEU1 or MEU3 residence document can I apply for a Cyprus issued EHIC card?

You can apply for a Cyprus issued EHIC card only if you are contributing to the Cyprus Social Insurance Scheme. Having an MEU1 or MEU3 without contributing to Social Insurance does not entitle you to apply for a Cyprus issued EHIC card.

13. If I have an MEU1 or MEU3 residency document can I apply for social assistance benefits?

Yes, both MEU1 and MEU3 holders are entitled to apply for social assistance and social welfare benefits. More information can be found on the Living in Cyprus Guide and the Department of Social Welfare Services website here.

If there are changes to residency registration processes, we will update this guidance as soon as information is available.

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CORONAVIRUS - AROUND 1,500 PASSENGERS A DAY EXPECTED FROM UK THIS MONTH

Cyprus Mail 3 August 2020 -by Andria Kades

Around 1,500 passengers from the UK are expected daily for the month of August, Hermes Airport said on Monday, after the first flights arrived over the weekend.

The UK was placed into Category B starting August 1 and 22 flights arrived over the weekend both to Larnaca and Paphos airports.

Hermes Airports told the Cyprus Mail there will be around 60 flights per week from the UK with approximately 1,500 passengers per day.

This means a further 44 flights are expected from Monday until Friday.

According to official sources from the deputy tourism ministry, it is too soon to say what these figures mean.

“These figures are passengers, not necessarily tourists. Some of these may be Cypriots or British permanent residents.”

Though the figures are close to what the ministry was expecting, data is still being processed as to who exactly they may be and how many are indeed tourists.

In the next few weeks, more information will become available as to who these passengers are and if tourists, where they are headed and how they are spending their holiday.

Director general of the Cyprus Hotel Association (Pasyxe) Philokypros Roussounides told the Cyprus Mail that although there has been some arrivals from British tourists to hotels “it is nothing that completely changes the scene.

“It is too small, we’re looking at individual travellers not tourists en masse.”

In the best-case scenario, even if half the arrivals are British tourists, in two weeks, that makes around 9,000, Roussounides said.

Compared to approximately 230,000 – 250,000 British tourists last August, that’s a far cry, he added.

Usually, the British market is comprised of 60 per cent, perhaps up to 70 per cent of tourists that come from tour operators. As the situation currently stands, travel agents aren’t keen on arranging package trips to Cyprus due to the requirement of a PCR test. TUI and JetBlue have both suspended their Cyprus programme until mid-August on the hope the UK will be placed into category A by then. This would mean no testing required.

“Hopefully if the epidemiological picture changes and if Britain goes into Category A, then things will probably change.” No major developments are expected until August 15 though, Roussounides added.

Tour operators have indicated they are keen to work with Cyprus even for September, October and November, Roussounides said though the situation both globally and locally leaves much unclear.

Meanwhile, it was decided on Monday that police presence at the airport would be upped after photographs circulating on social media over the weekend showed people standing at the airport without an inkling of social distancing.

A meeting at Larnaca airport was held between Transport Minister Yiannis Karousos and police chief Stelios Papatheodorou on how to tackle the large groups of people at the airport.

“Passenger traffic is increasing every day, we’ve reached the point where we’re dealing with 8,500 passengers, arrivals and departures every day. It is logical that sometimes during the day, there might be problems, like those observed the day before yesterday (Saturday),” Karousos said.

It was also decided that more counters would operate for passenger service so as to reduce waiting time at the airport. Express kiosks will also be reopened, Karousos added.

EU guidelines say that the use of mask is the most important, the minister said. “Here in Cyprus, this is mandatory (masks) while in airports abroad, it is only voluntary and only in case social distancing cannot be maintained.”

Passengers should not only be safe but feel safe, he added.

If at certain times of the day the airport is too busy and social distancing will not be able to be maintained, the passengers will not immediately be allowed to disembark.

More nursing staff will be posted at the airport, Karousos said to carry out the necessary checks.

Commenting on the helpline that came into operation on August 1 for passengers with any questions, Karousos said the first two days were inundated with 12,000 calls.

Hermes Airports CEO Eleni Kalogirou noted that all necessary measures are being taken to ensure the health and safety of travellers.

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EU EYES SOFTENING KEY STATE AID DEMAND IN BREXIT TALKS

Cyprus Mail 3 August 2020 - Reuters News Service

The full moon is seen rising over the City of London financial district

The European Union is willing to compromise to rescue troubled Brexit talks by softening its demand that Britain heed EU rules on state aid in the future, diplomatic sources told Reuters.

They said Brussels could go for a compromise entailing a dispute-settling mechanism on any state aid granted by the UK to its companies in the future, rather than obliging London to follow the bloc’s own rules from the outset.

Provisions to ensure fair competition pose the biggest stumbling block in the negotiations aimed at sealing a new trade accord from 2021 following Britain’s exit from the EU in January after 46 years of membership.

The 27 EU countries have long demanded so-called “level playing field” guarantees from Britain if it wants to continue selling goods freely in the bloc’s lucrative single market of 450 million people – after Britain’s standstill transition period following Brexit expires at the end of this year.

Without an agreement, trade and financial ties between the world’s fifth largest economy and its biggest trading bloc would collapse overnight, likely spreading havoc among markets, businesses and people.

But Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government has refused to be bound by EU state aid rules, environmental standards or labour laws, saying the essence of Brexit was to let Britain decide alone on its own regulations.

“The room for compromise lies in something that will let the UK decide on its own since ‘regaining sovereignty’ is such a big Brexit thing,” said a EU diplomat close to the Brexit talks.

“We would reserve the right to decide on any consequences vis-à-vis access to the single market for UK companies as a result.”

Another diplomatic source said such a dispute resolution mechanism could be a way to help clinch an agreement.

CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM

A third diplomat, also speaking on condition of anonymity, acknowledged the EU was ready to ease its earlier demands that Britain agree to a “dynamic alignment” of its competition rules in the future with the bloc’s own.

The person said, however, Britain would still need to agree with the EU on a broad outline of company subsidies policy – rather than specific laws or cases – to allow the bloc to go for such a fix. EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier has repeatedly urged London to make its future plans on that known to the bloc.

“There must be a solid framework with independent oversight. If they agree to settle on broad rules for granting state aid and to have this independent institution, then we have a deal,” said the diplomat.

The other significant sticking point is fishing rights in sea channels between the EU and Britain. The bloc has previously signalled it was willing to compromise in that area as well should London shift as well.

While arduous, the negotiations have brought the sides closer in recent weeks on some other aspects, leaving the EU cautiously optimistic on chances for an overall deal.

“Fisheries won’t wreck the whole thing…It’s just about waiting for the right time for the UK to move,” said a fourth EU diplomat.

Others have warned the talks could still go right down to the wire.

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FIVE NEW CASES FOUND TODAY

Filenews 3 August 2020

With regard to new cases of COVID-19, according to data from the Epidemiological Surveillance Unit of the Ministry of Health, a total of 2,581 laboratory diagnoses identified 5 cases of SARS-CoV-2.

In detail, virus-positive individuals emerged as follows:

• From 11 samples taken through the process of tracing contacts of already confirmed cases, 1 case occurred.
• Of 1,128 samples taken as part of a passenger and repatriated check, 2 cases were identified. One person was detected by the sampling on Class A and B passengers.
• Of 317 samples taken from Limassol Province as part of the random random sampling of 3,000 people, 1 case occurred.
• From 120 samples from the Microbiological Laboratories of the General Hospitals, 1 case was detected.

In more detail these are the following:

• 1 case is from the Microbiological Laboratories of the General Hospitals.
• 2 cases were detected by the random sampling programme in Limassol. One is contact (announced as a trace) of cases from the supermarket cluster in Limassol. The second person is random. They are both Cypriots in Limassol.
• Two cases are from flights. One is from London yesterday, 2/8, Cypriot who took the test at the airport. The 2nd is Cypriot who lives and works in South Africa and came yesterday via Paris and Athens. It was detected by random sampling of her flight from Athens.

In addition, the following laboratory diagnoses were carried out, without the detection of a case:

• From samples taken under the control programme of 10,000 workers re-activated during the second and third phase of the strategy for phasing out the restrictions, 6 laboratory tests were completed,
• From samples taken through a private initiative, 226 laboratory diagnoses were completed,
• From samples taken from the Province of Larnaca as part of the random random sampling of 3,000 people, 142 laboratory diagnoses were carried out,
• From samples taken from the Nicosia Province as part of the random random sampling of 3,000 people, 388 laboratory diagnoses were carried out,
• From samples taken from Famagusta Province as part of the random sampling of 3,000 people, 66 laboratory diagnoses were carried out, and
• From samples taken as part of the programme of referrals from Personal Physicians and control of special teams through the Public Health Clinics, 177 laboratory tests were completed.

On the basis of the data so far, the total number of positive cases amounts to 1,155.

In addition, four patients in good general condition are treated in a ward at Famagusta General Hospital.

Source: eyenews

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CYPRUS AIRWAYS SUSPENDS FLIGHTS TO THESSALONIKI AND SKIATHOS

Filenews 3 August 2020 

The suspension of flights to Thessaloniki and Skiathos from 18 August and the reduction in the frequency of flights to Athens and Heraklion announced by Cyprus Airways.

The company announced the decision after Greece's downgrading to Category B, noting that affected passengers will be informed by email.

Please note that Cyprus Airways is closely monitoring the situation and following the instructions of the World Health Organisation and the European Aviation Safety Agency.

Source: Eyenews

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COMPANY SELECTED TO DEVELOP LARNACA PORT AND MARINA

Cyprus Mail 3 August 2020 -by Andria Kades

A tender has been selected to develop the Larnaca port and marina, it was announced on Monday.

Investments expected to pour in are estimated at approximately €1bn, the transport ministry said with added benefits to the economy set to surpass €120m per year once the project is fully developed.

Plans comprise developing an area spanning 510,000m², including the port, marina and the space in between.

The consortium which won the tender is Eldeman Holding BV and Alexandrou Corporate Services, comprised of Israeli and Cypriot interests. They were expected to receive a successful tenderer letter on Monday, the transport ministry announcement added.

The next step is the concession agreement which will be followed by a 12-month transition period by which the investor will take over the project in its entirety.

Port works include the expansion and management of the port, improving current infrastructure including the interior road network, storage space and passenger terminal as well as creating a new terminal for cruise ships and utilising the port for cargo management.

Plans for the marina envision expanding it to handle at least 650 boats. New breakwaters and a new building for a yacht club are part of the plans.

The space in between envisions the maintenance of infrastructure, connection with a road network, developing pavements, green areas, parks, open spaces for events, construction for homes, tourist and office buildings as well as recreation spots, tourist units, as well as an education and medical centre.

Works are set to begin after the transition period, lasting for a period of 15 years.

Plans for the Larnaca marina and port development have been ongoing for over a decade. Back in 2010, the government struck a deal with Zenon Consortium for a €700m project to transform both the existing port and marina. The consortium failed to raise the necessary funds even though the government extended the deadline up to 20 times until 2015 when the deal fell through.

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CORONAVIRUS - AS MANY AS 1,000 TO 1,500 COULD BE INFECTED IN LIMASSOL

Cyprus Mail 3 August 2020 -by Nick Theodoulou

Testing in Limassol

As many as 1000-1500 people may have the coronavirus in Limassol, or 1.5 per cent of the city’s sprawl, according to an analysis by government adviser Leontios Kostrikis.

“My advice to the people is to act like we are in lockdown without actually being in lockdown,” the Professor of Molecular Biology at the Department of Biological Sciences of the University of Cyprus said on Monday morning.

But the question on many peoples’ lips is why Limassol?

Speaking to the Cyprus Mail, he said that the initial epicentre of the flare-up appears to have originated from the marina.

He pointed to workers at shipping companies as well as people arriving from category C countries, at the marina, not respecting the measures.

The health ministry on Sunday announced that 26 coronavirus cases were detected, including the 15 announced earlier in the day.

When asked how he would categorise the current situation, he said that: “I think what’s going on now is a flare-up, it doesn’t make sense to call it a second wave… That flare-up started from cases most likely at the marina and that created clusters of infection – and these have been propagated to the normal population.”

Limassol mayor Nicos Nicolaides said on Monday that the programme of 2,000 sampling tests was due to be concluded and asked for further tests.

“I asked the ministry to continue the sampling checks,” Nicolaides said, stressing the need for having a clear picture of the situation.

In the past, government advisers had warned that should there be a several days in a row with cases in the double figures then a lockdown would be re-imposed.

Both the health minister Constantinos Ioannou and other government experts have more recently called on the public to adhere to the current measures in order to avoid a second lockdown.

But how soon will we know whether a lockdown is more likely?

“It depends on next week. These things move very fast, so in a week we will know,” Kostrikis told the Cyprus Mail.

Another top advisor also said it may take some time.

“Well, we don’t know how the situation is going to unfold, so it’s a wait and see situation,” said Professor of Microbiology/Molecular Virology at the University of Nicosia Medical School Petros Karayiannis.

It has been almost six months since the World Health Organisation declared the new coronavirus a pandemic.

The government advisers, speaking to the Cyprus Mail, appeared optimistic that authorities were now much better prepared to handle a resurgence in cases.

“There’s still a lot that we don’t know, but I think we’re better prepared and we’ve got the experience of the past,” Karayiannis said.

He mentioned that doctors and nurses are better positioned to handle the situation, and protocols have also been refined.

“Similarly, the health system is much better prepared than it was when it started, such as intensive care units, personal protective equipment and so on,” Karayiannis said.

Kostrikis agreed but emphasised the role of the public amid the resurgence of cases.

“It’s not only the scientific and medical experience but people have experience with the virus too,” Kostrikis said.

Back in March, Cyprus was much quicker to impose a lockdown.

“If people are taking precautions, such as wearing masks where necessary, then we’re preventing transmission – as long as we do that, there is no need to impose a lockdown,” Karayiannis said.

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MOST BRITS, FRENCH, GERMANS WOULD SKIP HOLIDAY IF TESTS, MASKS INVOLVED

Cyprus Mail 3 August 2020 - Reuters News Service

French tourists sunbathe on La Malagueta beach, on the first day of their mandatory use for everyone over six in public spaces, including the beach and by the pool, in the region of Andalusia

As new coronavirus travel restrictions kick in across Europe, a survey showed at least half of German, British and French travellers would rather cancel a holiday than quarantine afterwards, take a test upon arrival, or wear a mask outdoors.

The survey, carried out on July 13-23 and whose results were shared exclusively with Reuters by market research firm YouGov, showed two-thirds of Germans who normally travel abroad would cancel a holiday if they needed a test upon arrival.

Germany this week imposed mandatory coronavirus testing for travellers from 130 countries.

In France, which implemented testing upon arrival last Saturday for travellers from 12 countries, half of those who normally holiday abroad said they would cancel rather than take a test. The same proportion would call off a holiday if they had to wear a mask outdoors.

In other countries surveyed – Denmark, Sweden, Germany, and Britain – over two thirds would not tolerate mask-wearing outdoors.

Mask-wearing in public spaces was made mandatory in most places across Europe’s tourism hotspot Spain over the course of July. The Portuguese island of Madeira implemented the policy over the weekend.

Even needing a mask indoors would put off two-thirds of Danes and Swedes, the survey showed, compared to just over 40% of British travellers and half from Germany. Sweden has no rules on mask use.

Needing to quarantine upon return was even more unpopular, with over 80% of Danes, Swedes and Germans saying the trip would be off if they had to stay at home for two weeks afterwards.

Among Britons, who now face two weeks of quarantine if they travel to a number of countries including Spain and Portugal, 70% would cancel their trip, while 65% of French respondents said they would do the same.

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NEW YELLOW ALERT FOR EXTREMELY HIGH TEMPERATURES FOR TUESDAY

in-cyprus 3 August 2020 - by Maria Bitar

Yet another yellow alert for extremely high temperatures for Tuesday issued – in effect from 1pm to 5pm.

Temperatures are expected to rise to 40°C, according to the Meteorological Services.

The weather will be mainly fine with increased clouds that will develop locally and rain in the mountains and inland.

Winds will be light to moderate, south-westerly to north-westerly, four to five Beaufort, over lightly turbulent to turbulent seas.

Temperatures in all other coasts will rise to 33°C.

Source: Philenews

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