PEOPLE FROM EU COUNTRIES HAVE NO INTENTION OF HELPING UK IN A MAJOR CRISIS, STUDY REVEALS

Yahoo! News 4 August 2020 - by James Morris

© Provided by Yahoo! News UK NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - JULY 28: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks to local people at the Canal Side Heritage Centre in Beeston on July 28, 2020 in Beeston near Nottingham, England. The government is launching a new cycling intuitive to help get people fitter. (Photo by Rui Vieira - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

People from EU countries would have no intention of helping the UK in a major crisis, a vast new study has revealed.

YouGov provided people from 13 EU member states with a list of 35 countries and asked which ones they would be willing to offer financial help in a major crisis.

Of that 35, only Colombia ranked lower than the UK.

Matthew Smith, from YouGov, said it was evidence of how much the UK has “alienated” itself from its EU neighbours.

It follows the bitter Brexit fallout since the 2016 referendum – something that continues to this day as the UK and EU struggle to negotiate its “future relationship” terms.

© Provided by Yahoo! News UK

It was part of a YouGov study which surveyed more than 21,000 people from 14 European countries: Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Spain, Sweden and the UK.

On average, people from the 13 EU countries gave the UK a -8% net score in terms of their willingness to help in a crisis. Colombia, at the bottom, had -12%.

By contrast, people from the UK were willing to help all 13 EU nations, the survey found.

Smith said of the findings: “These results also demonstrate quite how far the UK has alienated its European neighbours.

“Only in Greece, Denmark, Poland and Romania do more people than not say they would be willing to give the UK financial aid in the event of a major crisis.

“This is not simply the case that the UK is a rich country and so people won’t donate on the basis that the UK can afford to look after itself: people are far more willing to provide financial assistance to the other top wealthy European countries Germany and France.”

France had a net score of +21% from its EU neighbours, while Germany had +14%.

It comes as a separate study found Brexit sparked a wave of migration out of Britain to Europe similar to those caused by a serious economic or political crisis.

Migrations to EU countries have risen 30% since the 2016 referendum, according to a joint research project between the Oxford-in-Berlin partnership and the WZB Social Science Centre.

The data showed that migration from the UK to EU states averaged 56,832 people per year from 2008 to 2015, but climbed to 73,642 a year from 2016 to 2018.

The number of UK citizens attaining an EU member state passport also leapt by more than 500% across the continent and more than 2,000% in Germany.

The study’s authors said: “The UK is facing a potential brain drain of highly-educated British citizens, who have decided to invest their futures in continental Europe.”

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CORONAVIRUS - YIOLITIS SATISFIED WITH PAPHOS AIRPORT MEASURES, VISITS POLICE HQ

Cyprus Mail 4 August 2020 - by Andria Kades

Justice Minister Emily Yiolitis at Paphos police HQ (CNA)

Justice Minister Emily Yioliti was at Paphos airport on Tuesday to inspect whether safety measures related to the coronavirus were being adhered to.

In her first visit to Paphos since her appointment, she told reporters “the picture we saw at Paphos airport was very satisfactory.”

A day earlier, the government announced more measures would be taken in both Paphos and Larnaca airports to ensure social distancing was maintained, such as increased police presence and opening more counters.

Yiolitis also met with Hermes Airport management to discuss better coordination between themselves and police.

Shortly afterwards, she paid a visit to Paphos police headquarters where she met the city’s police chief Nicos Pentaras and his team.

A top priority for Paphos is to ensure the city has enough resources to make its own decisions. For instance there is no state pathologist or secure place for hospitalisation in Paphos which creates issues for the force.

According to Yiolitis, these are matters which will be looked into so Paphos can handle their own cases.

The justice minister also added that the woman who recently returned from the USA and is responsible for creating a coronavirus cluster in Limassol is now in quarantine, while contact tracing continues. Statements are being taken to assess whether charges can be filed against her.

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CORONAVIRUS - NICOSIA MAN SUPPOSED TO BE SELF-ISOLATING CAUGHT OUTSIDE

Cyprus Mail 4 August 2020 - by Evie Andreou

Police on Tuesday said they caught a man from Nicosia who was supposed to self-isolate as a contact of a person with coronavirus but was not at home when they went to check up on him.

The man was reported and is being investigated.

According to police spokesman Christos Andreou, the man was on the list with three other people who had to self-isolate. The health ministry’s epidemiology monitoring unit asked police to check on them because they could not trace them.

Three of the people were in Nicosia and one in Larnaca.

The three people on the list were found to be in their homes when officers went there but one man from Nicosia was not there. He arrived home while the officers were there.

He reportedly claimed he had not encountered anyone while outside.

Andreou told the Cyprus News Agency that in cases when the health ministry cannot locate people that are supposed to be in self-isolation, they ask help from the police.

He also said police would be carrying out random checks to make sure that people who need to be in self-isolation are doing just that. The health ministry will send police a list with these people, he said.

Justice Minister Emily Yiolitis announced on Monday that the police would be conducting intensive random spot checks all over Cyprus to confirm that people from category C countries and close contacts of confirmed patients are indeed self-isolating at the accommodation address they provided upon entry to the country.

The stricter measures follow a rise in local cases mainly in Limassol, including the creation of clusters started by people who did not self-isolate when arriving from category C countries.

Authorities also using social media to prevent the holding of events that could attract large crowds.

According to deputy head of the state health services Irodotos Irodotou officials of the e-commerce department monitor social media and trace advertisements on events that violate the measures in place and forward them to the police.

He told state broadcaster CyBC they were able to stop some events that were expecting large numbers of people.

“On some occasions, we have forced organisers to remove their ads from social media,” Irodotou said.

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CORONAVIRUS - CYPRUS IS OPEN TO BRITISH TOURISTS 'ONLY IN THEORY'

Cyprus Mail 4 August 2020 - by Jonathan Shkurko

Part of the first group of British tourists who arrived on Saturday (Christos Theodorides)

The majority of travellers coming or planning to come to Cyprus from the UK for their holidays mainly consists of Cypriot nationals living abroad, according to travel agents specialised in organising trips to the island from Britain.

Travel agents have complained about the obligatory test travellers from the UK have to take before flying to Cyprus, deeming it a strong deterrent for potential holidaymakers. TUI and Jet2 have already cancelled their programmes to Cyprus until mid-August in the hope the UK will make it to the list of category A countries, where no testing is required.

The UK is currently in category B, which for tourists arriving from there, means testing before leaving Britain.  The process can be both difficult and expensive for holidaymakers, especially families though children 12 and under do not need a test.

The first group of British tourists arrived last Saturday. Transport Minister Yiannis Karousos said on Monday they expect around 1,500 a day to come for the month of August. Hoteliers say this will not do the trick in boosting tourism.

The president of the Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO) in the UK Noel Josephides, owner of Sunvil Travel, which specialises in offering packages to Cyprus, said most potential tourists find the procedures to come too Cyprus too complicated and discouraging.

“We had people booking trips to Cyprus in the past months but almost all of them have cancelled their plans,” he said.

“In fact, we have close to zero new bookings for this summer. For Britons with family and children, the tests and forms that need to be completed are a nightmare.”

Another travel agent, Harry Kyrillou, owner of a company called Planet Holidays, confirmed the trend, adding he had absolutely no bookings for Cyprus in the month of July.

“Cyprus has opened up to British tourists only in theory,” he said. “Realistically, the entry requirements demanded to British tourists scare them away.

Kyrillou also complained about the fact that the fastest way to obtain a certificate stating travellers are coronavirus-free is through a private clinic, “which charges between £150-£200, an enormity.”

“I think the only people who will bother coming to Cyprus if things don’t change are Cypriot nationals, who will be able to get tested on arrival. For everyone else the procedure is simply too complicated,” he said.

Earlier in July, tour operators Tui and Jet2 announced that they will not fly to Cyprus until the UK is moved to category A, meaning when British holidaymakers would be allowed on the island without taking or providing a negative coronavirus test.

“This year is completely lost,” Kyrillou said. “The situation for us, for hoteliers and for everyone else working in the tourism industry is dramatic.

“Of course, I am not in a position to say whether the measures are wrong. They are obviously taken by experts.

“However, it is undeniable they are impacting the tourism market heavily and they are preventing people from coming to Cyprus, creating a huge economical damage.”

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25 NEW INCIDENTS IN CYPRUS, 8 FROM RANDOM CHECKS

Filenews 4 August 2020

25 new cases of coronavirus were detected today in Cyprus, out of a total of 3,988 laboratory diagnoses, with the total number amounting to 1,180.

According to data from the Epidemiological Surveillance Unit of the Ministry of Health, a total of 3,988 laboratory diagnoses identified 25 cases of SARS-CoV-2.

In detail, virus-positive individuals emerged as follows:

• Of 173 samples taken through the process of tracing contacts of already confirmed cases, 13 cases occurred.
• Of 1,278 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 981 samples taken through a private initiative, 2 cases were identified.
• Of 303 samples taken from Larnaca Province as part of the random sampling of 3,000 people, 3 cases were detected.
• Of 486 samples taken from nicosia province as part of the random random sampling of 3,000 people, 3 cases were detected.
• Of 43 samples taken from Famagusta Province as part of the random random sampling of 3,000 people, 1 case was detected.
• Of 302 samples taken from Paphos Province as part of the random random sampling of 3,000 people, 1 case was detected.

The cases in detail concern:

• 2 persons examined as part of the regular audit carried out by their company. These are the employees of NIPD Genetics announced this morning and by the company itself. One person has a travel history in England.
• Three people are from the U.S. cluster of cases. Although both were examined privately and one followed the correct route of tracing, all 3 were announced as contacts because they were registered for tracing.
• 1 person from the sample check carried out on a flight from Thessaloniki yesterday, 3/8.
• 1 person who arrived yesterday, 3/8, from Qatar on special leave and did the examination at the airport.
• 2 people who are case contacts and did the test through random sampling of 3,000 people.
• Another 8 people are contacts of confirmed cases.
• 8 people identified by the random sampling of 3,000 people as follows: 1 – Famagusta, 1 – Paphos, 3 – Larnaca and 3 – Nicosia.

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

• Of the Microbiological Laboratories of the General Hospitals, 163 laboratory tests were completed,
• From samples taken from limassol province as part of the random random sampling of 3,000 people, 40 laboratory diagnoses were carried out,
• 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, 22 laboratory tests were completed,
• Of the samples taken by the residents of Kato Pyrgos Tylliria, 2 laboratory diagnoses were completed, and
• From samples taken as part of the programme of referrals by Personal Physicians and control of special teams through the Public Health Clinics, 197 laboratory tests were completed.

On the basis of the data so far, the total number of positive cases amounts to 1,180.

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

Source: Eyenews

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PEOPLE NEEDED TO MANAGE THERMAL CAMERAS

in-cyprus 4 August 2020 - by Maria Bitar

The Ministry of Health announced a tender for the purchase of services by health professionals for the management of thermal cameras at Larnaca and Paphos airports.

The Purchasing and Procurement Department of the Ministry of Health invites all Nurses and/or Health Officers and/or physiotherapists interested in offering their services under a public contract regarding the tender for the purchase of services by health professionals for the management of thermal cameras at Larnaca and Paphos airports, with a contract duration of three months and with the right of renewal for a period ending on December 22, starting from the date of the signing of the contract or as the Contracting Authority has determined, to submit their bid.

Interested parties can obtain further information and tender submission forms in electronic form either from the website of the Ministry of Health or from the Electronic Public Procurement System of the General Accounting Office and submit their bid according to the instructions of the tender documents.

The deadline for applications is 06/08/2020 at 23:00.

Source: Philenews

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MORE THAN 27,000 PASSENGERS FROM CATEGORIES A-B WERE CHECKED SINCE FLIGHTS RESUMED

in-cyprus 4 August 2020 - by Maria Bitar

Cyprus’ Health Ministry announced today that a total of 27,334 passengers were tested for Covid–19 coming from countries listed in categories A and B, since June 9 when flights to the island`s two international airports, Larnaca and Paphos resumed.

Cyprus authorities have classified countries in 3 categories. Passengers from Category A are subject to random checks, while Category B passengers need to show a negative Covid–19 test or could be tested at the airport if they are Cypriot citizens or legally residing here. Category C passengers need a negative test but have to also self–isolate for 14 days.

According to the announcement, Cyprus applies strict rules for passengers coming from B and C categories.

It is added that Austria applied the same rules for a negative Covid–19 test only last week whereas Germany will do so this coming week.

It is noted that since airports reopened, the authorities decided to check 300 passengers a day but this decision was reassessed and later 600 were tested. The number stands currently at 1,000.

The results of the tests and all the data are assessed frequently by the authorities who decide on the epidemiological risk of each country in all categories.

During July 20 – August 2 a total of 11,860 tests were conducted.

More precisely between July 27 – August 2 , 4,057 passengers were tested, all coming from countries in categories A and B in 34 flights.

These 34 flights are as follows:

Athens – Greece 7 flights , category A

Thessaloniki – Greece 3 flights category A

Crete – Greece, 2 flights , category A

Mykonos – Greece 3 flights, category A

Poland 2 flights, category A

Finland 1 flights, category A

Hungary 2 flights, category A

Denmark 1 flight, category A

Switzerland 2 flights category A

Berlin – Germany 1 flight category A

Dusseldorf – Germany, 1 flight, category A

Frankfurt – Germany 1 flight, category A

Munich 2 flights, category A

Austria 2 flights, category A

London – UK, 2 flights, category B

Liverpool – UK 1 flight, category B

The Ministry announced that 3 cases were detected in a flight from Thessaloniki on July 31, one of which is a passenger who came from Germany via Thessaloniki.

Moreover 3 cases were detected from flights from Athens and Mykonos on August 1, and Zurich on August 2.

As of August 1 the checks have increased and now 1,000 are conducted per day. More checks are being carried out on passengers arriving from Greece and the UK.

Each day a total of 10 flights are subject to tests at both airports.

Source: CNA

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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW IF YOU ARE TRAVELLING TO CYPRUS

in-cyprus 4 August 2020 - by Maria Bitar

As part of the Government’s strategy for managing the corona virus pandemic, the safeguarding of Public Health and limiting the entry of Covid-19 incidents through gateways into the country, the Ministry of Health has been implementing a country categorisation system since May that changes according to the assessment of their epidemiological risk.

Depending on what category the country they’re coming from is in, passengers must comply with specific measures, as follows:

For passengers from Category A countries, nor a Covid-19 laboratory diagnostic test certificate or quarantine are required.

Passengers arriving from Category B countries are required to have a laboratory diagnostic test no later than 72 hours before departure and to present a Certificate proving a negative PCR test for the virus.

Cypriot citizens and permanent residents of the Republic arriving from Category B countries, have the option to undergo the molecular test upon arrival at the airport. It is stressed that these individuals must remain in quarantine until the test result is issued.

Finally, for passengers travelling from countries included in Category C, and according to the Decree of the Minister of Health (No. 30), entry to the Republic is allowed only to certain categories of citizens. It is stressed that these individuals must remain strictly in quarantine for 14 days.

For children aged 12 and under, regardless of the Category in which their country of origin falls, a laboratory diagnostic test is not required at Cypriot Airports nor is the presentation of a negative test certificate from their country of origin.

Source: Philenews

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RECENT COVID-19 CASES IN LIMASSOL DO NOT CONSTITUTE A SECOND WAVE, PROFESSSOR KARAYIANNIS SAYS

in-cyprus 4 August 2020 - by Maria Bitar

Recent confirmed Covid-19 cases in Limassol do not constitute a second wave of the corona virus, Petros Karayiannis, member of the scientific advisory team on Covid-19 and professor of microbiology and molecular virology at the University of Nicosia’s Medical School told CNA on Tuesday.

“This is not a second wave, it is an outbreak observed in a specific city of Cyprus”, he said, adding that this is an example of what could happen when things go awry.

People, he added, must learn to live with the virus and expressed hope that the detection of new confirmed cases was done on time and in an effective manner so that the chains of transmission and the spreading of the virus in other areas of Cyprus are stopped.

Professor Karayiannis said that there was concern regarding the situation in Limassol in the first days but pointed out that yesterday there were less than ten confirmed cases.

Invited to comment on a statement made by Dr. Leondios Kostrikis, Professor of Molecular Biology at the Department of Biological Sciences of the University of Cyprus and member of the Ministry of Health’s scientific team, that there must be 1,000-1500 active cases in Limassol, he said he disagreed with that estimation.

He said that nine out of ten cases were contacts of known confirmed cases and not random samples, people who had to be self-isolating and despite that they went for testing and this gave a wrong picture of what is happening in the community, “I consider that number to be between 50 and 100,” he added.

He stressed that the clusters of infections will stop when all possible contacts of the positive cases are traced, and remain in isolation.

Replying to another question, he said that the measures taken by the government are satisfactory.

Asked if the decision to move Greece to the list of category B countries was the right one, he pointed out that in the last days there was an increase of confirmed cases from people coming from Greece, while the country`s epidemiological indicators , such as hospital admissions, are worsening and in recent days there were also deaths.

Therefore, he added, the epidemiological team had to decide whether the country should remain in category A or be moved to category B. In the coming days we will know if it was a good decision or not, he concluded.

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LIMASSOLIANS RUSHING TO GET TESTED FOR COVID-19

in-cyprus 4 August 2020 - by Maria Bitar

Office call centres of Limassol’s GP’s have caught fire as citizens exhibiting at least one Covid-19 related symptom call them up asking for testing referrals to public health clinics as according to estimates from experts there may currently be over 1,000 undetected active corona virus cases there, something that has understandably alarmed citizens doctors told Philenews.

Based on the numbers, in the 1,738 sample testing that was carried out and completed by Sunday night, more than 20 cases had been detected, which means that one in 86 who have already been tested, tested positive for the virus.

Professor Leontios Kostrikis was clear when speaking to the media, stating that he estimates based on the data for the city of Limassol from Sunday that “statistically there may be 1,000-1,500 carriers of the virus” currently.

He even appealed to the people of Limassol to pay special attention and behave responsibly in order to avoid the further spread of the corona virus in the city in the next 10-15 days.

Just hours after the professor’s statement, the Ministry of Health announced five new cases of the corona virus, which, among other things, revealed at least one other active virus transmission chain in Limassol, which appears to have as a starting point a supermarket in the city where as we are informed four more cases have already been detected.

In the meantime, a military camp in Nicosia has been in quarantine since Saturday, after a corona virus case was detected.

Additionally, measures to reduce the risk of spread of corona virus have been implemented by the Cardiology Clinic of the Paphos General Hospital, due to the risk of an increase in cases, an announcement by the director of the Cardiology Clinic there, Joseph Moutiris, said.

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