TWO COVID-19 CASES DETECTED AT STATE-DESIGNATED LAB

in-cyprus 4 August 2020 - by Annie Charalambous

Two covid-19 cases were detected at Nicosia-based NIPD Genetics which is the designated laboratory by the government to carry out the molecular tests, the company announced on Monday.

The announcement also said that the two infected scientists were working at the head laboratory in Engomi, Nicosia. And that they had no contact with the public when an island-wide sampling was taking place over the past recent days.

“NIPD Genetics informs that no sampling is carried out within its laboratory in Engomi, and no service to the public is provided there,” the announcement also said.

“The two cases were detected during routine, systematic tests carried out among staff, a practice which takes place since last March,” it added.

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POLICE REPORT 52 BREACHES OF CORONAVIRUS MEASURES WITHIN 24 HOURS

in-cyprus 4 August 2020 - by Annie Charalambous

Police carried out 1352 checks across Cyprus over the past 24 hours and reported a total  52 cases of violations of measures to contain the novel  COVID-19 pandemic.

Specifically, nine owners of premises and 43 individuals were reported, a police statement also said.

In Nicosia, 174 checks were carried out and 14 citizens were reported.

In Limassol, 504 ckecks resulted in reporting 2 premises and 16 citizens.

In Larnaca, there were 233 checks with 4 reports for citizens, in Pafos 141 checks with 3 reports for premises and 9 for citizens, in Famagusta 194 checks with 3 reports for premises while in Morphou 106 checks were carried out without any reports.

The police also reported 70 cases in regard to the Cyprus Flight Pass, that is, passengers arriving without having it filled in, and 3 for violations of measures against the spread of COVID-19 at Larnaca airport. That is, not wearing a mask which is now mandatory in Cyprus.

There were also 35 reports at Pafos airports related to the Cyprus Flight Pass. (CNA)

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CRUCIAL CYPRUS-RUSSIA DOUBLE TAX TREATY TALKS SET FOR AUGUST 10

in-cyprus 4 August 2020 - by Annie Charalambous

Crucial negotiations on the avoidance of double taxation between Cyprus and Russia are scheduled for August 10 and 11, and will be headed by Minister of Finance Constantinos Petrides.

This is what the Ministry of Finance said in a press release late on Monday.

Cyprus seeks to continue dialogue and reach an agreement on the crucial agreement, insiders told CNA.

“Officially we did not agree on a deadlock”, the sources pointed out, adding that Cyprus was exhausting all possibilities to reach an agreement through diplomatic and political contacts, but there is still no result.

The same sources stated that the contacts are continuing and that the Cypriot side is seeking a meeting on the issue.

“Cyprus now expects from Russia. We have put forward some positions and we seek to continue our communications and reach an agreement since we did not officially agree on a deadlock”, the sources of the Ministry added.

Russian Ministry of Finance announced Monday that it will initiate denunciation of the double tax agreement with Cyprus from August 3, saying that Cyprus’ proposals on amendments to tax laws are unfeasible.

The Russian Finance Ministry held negotiations with the Cyprus’ Ministry of Finance on amendments to the Russian-Cypriot double taxation agreement in respect of increasing the withholding tax to 15% for dividends and interest payments.

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BEGINNER HANDBUILDING CERAMIC COURSE - The Makers Space, Tala

BEGINNER HANDBUILDING CERAMIC COURSE

The Makers Space, Tala

6 weeks, 2 hours per week, €180pp - maximum 6 people

Enquiries and bookings to Lee-Anne on 96 894368

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Per Press Reports, King Emeritus Juan Carlos of Spain Has Relocated to Cascais, Portugal

Numerous outlets in the Portuguese press, which have been picked up by Spanish media, are reporting that King Emeritus Juan Carlos of Spain moved to Estoril, Cascais, Portugal. The reports have not been confirmed. It is possible that the Household of King Felipe VI will not issue a statement regarding the relocation of the former Spanish monarch. Juan Carlos reigned as King of Spain from 1975 until 2014.

The Spanish royal family in 1952 at the Villa Giralda, Estoril.
Left to right: Infanta Pilar, Infante Juan Carlos, the Countess of Barcelona, Infante Alfonso (seated), Queen Victoria Eugenia, the Count of Barcelona, and Infanta Margarita.

Embed from Getty Images

Embed from Getty Images

Estoril is well-known to Juan Carlos, whose family spent many years in exile there. The Count and Countess of Barcelona lived at the Villa Giralda, which was sold decades ago, from 1946 until 1976. Indeed, the youngest sister of King Juan Carlos, the Infanta Margarita, married her husband Dr. Carlos Zurita y Delgado at Estoril in 1972.

Estoril

The family of Juan Carlos is fondly remembered in the community of Estoril. It has the potential to be the ideal place for the former Spanish monarch to spend his time. He will be close to Spain and able to receive visits from his family and friends there without issues.

Embed from Getty Images

Zarzuela Palace

Embed from Getty Images

Queen Sofía of Spain will not be joining her husband of fifty-eight years in Portugal. The queen will remain at her apartment in Zarzuela Palace in Madrid, where she lives together with her sister Princess Irene of Greece and Denmark. Queen Sofía remains very popular and frequently carries out public engagements on behalf of the royal house.

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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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