TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 8 - CORONAVIRUS GLOBAL UPDATE

 Cyprus Mail 8 September 2020 - Reuters News Service

Madrid, Spain July 28, 2020. REUTERS/Javier Barbancho

EUROPE

Spain became the first country in Western Europe to register 500,000 coronavirus infections on Monday, after a second surge in cases that coincided with schools reopening.

Health Ministry data showed a total of 525,549 cases, up from 498,989 on Friday, and 2,440 infections registered in the last 24 hours. Spain updates its data retroactively, so the latest numbers could be revised.

Recent infections have been more common among younger people who often develop no symptoms thanks to their stronger immune systems, and the death rate remains far below the March-April peak when daily fatalities routinely exceeded 800.

A British government minister said on Tuesday that a rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in the country was concerning and he called on people to follow health guidance or risk tougher restrictions in the coming months.

“There’s a big burden on all of us now to follow the guidance as closely as we can or else we do risk greater restrictions later this year,” housing minister Robert Jenrick told Sky News television.

Other top government officials have also expressed concern about a rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in recent days.

There were almost 3,000 reported cases on Monday in the UK.

The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in France rose again compared with the previous day, as did the death toll, as the country battles to contain a likely second wave of the virus.

The number of new, confirmed COVID-19 cases had risen by 4,203 compared with the previous day to reach a total of 328,980, the French health ministry said on Monday.

The number of deaths also rose by 25 over the last 24 hours to 30,726.

Ukraine registered a record 57 deaths related to the new coronavirus in the past 24 hours, the national security council said on Tuesday, up from a previous record of 54 deaths registered last week.

The council said a total of 140,479 cases were registered in Ukraine as of Sept. 8, with 2,934 deaths and 63,546 people recovered.

ASIA

India recorded its highest daily deaths from the coronavirus in more than a month on Tuesday, even as new infections slowed, data from the health ministry showed.

The health ministry said 1,133 people had died of COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, the highest since July, taking total mortalities to 72,775. But new daily cases were at 75,809, the lowest in a week.

India surprassed Brazil on Monday to become the country with the most number of coronavirus cases outside of the United States and has a cumulative caseload of 4.28 million.

A spike in coronavirus infections in Indonesia’s holiday island of Bali and Thailand’s first locally transmitted case in 100 days have dealt further blows to Southeast Asian hopes of reviving vital tourism industries.

Plans to reopen Bali to foreign tourists from September have been postponed indefinitely, while Thailand’s proposal for the cautious reopening of Phuket island has come into doubt.

As well as trying to encourage domestic tourism industries, some Southeast Asian countries have been considering “travel bubbles” with others as a way to get businesses restarted.

Bali initially appeared to weather the health crisis better than other parts of Indonesia, which has suffered Southeast Asia’s biggest death toll by far. But coronavirus cases have spiked after it reopened its borders to domestic tourism at the end of July.

“Increasing domestic tourism is one important factor for increasing cases in Bali,” said Dr Pandu Riono, an epidemiologist from the University of Indonesia.

CENTRAL AMERICA

Mexico reported 3,486 new confirmed cases of coronavirus infection and 223 additional fatalities on Monday, bringing its totals to 637,509 infections and 67,781 deaths, according to updated health ministry data.

The government has said the real number of infected people is likely to be significantly higher than the confirmed cases.

SOUTH AMERICA

Brazil recorded 10,273 additional confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in the past 24 hours, as well as 310 deaths from the disease, the Health Ministry said on Monday.

In all, Brazil has registered 4.15 million cases of the virus since the pandemic began, while the official death toll has risen to 126,960, according to ministry data.

Brazil has the third highest number of coronavirus cases. India, which has now registered 4.2 million cases, overtook Brazil in number of infections on Monday and is just behind the United States.

Argentina’s coronavirus death toll surpassed 10,000 on Monday, the government said, as the South American nation struggles to bring its infection rate under control.

There have been 10,129 deaths, with 488,007 confirmed coronavirus cases, according to government data. Almost half of coronavirus tests are yielding a positive result.

Argentina has been under lockdown since March 20, though cases have spiked in recent weeks. Some areas of the country, including capital Buenos Aires, remain under varying levels of quarantine, though some activities, like exercise and outdoor restaurant dining, recently resumed.

CORONAVIRUS AROUND THE WORLD

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FOREIGN MINISTRY UPDATES ADVICE FOR TRAVEL ABROAD

 Cyprus Mail 8 September 2020 - by Annette Chrysostomou

People planning to travel abroad from Cyprus are advised to avoid non-essential travel to all countries except those in coronavirus categories A and B, according to the latest travel advice issued by the foreign ministry.

Countries currently in category A are:  Canada, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Republic of Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, New Zealand, Norway and Thailand

Countries in category B are: Australia, Austria, Belgium, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Greece, Holy See, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Lichtenstein, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and Uruguay

“The classification of countries, based on the epidemiological risk assessment, is extremely dynamic and may change at any moment. You are therefore encouraged to check the travel advice regularly,” the ministry said in an announcement late on Monday afternoon.

Citizens of the Republic of Cyprus who are temporarily located or permanently reside in countries not in category A and B are advised to be cautious, to follow local and international media on the latest developments regarding Covid-19, to adhere to the relevant instructions of the country’s authorities including restrictions or guidance concerning Covid-19, to take measures to protect themselves, and to inform the accredited diplomatic mission of the Republic of their presence in the country.

Cypriots who are currently abroad, or intend to travel abroad for any reason, are encouraged to register on the website www.connect2cy@gov.cy.

Passengers intending to return to or arrive in Cyprus will be required to comply with the applicable process, register at https://cyprusflightpass.gov.cy and meet the requirements for entry to Cyprus.

Relevant decrees, announcements, press releases and information published by the ministry of health and other authorities and services of the government are available at https://www.pio.gov.cy/coronavirus/

In accordance with current regulations, only Cypriot citizens, permanent residents of Cyprus or holders of a special entry permit are entitled to board direct flights from countries not in category A and B to Cyprus.

Contact details in case of an emergency:

• Diplomatic missions of the Republic of Cyprus abroad:

Contact details for our Diplomatic Missions are available at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website http://www.mfa.gov.cy/mfa/mfa2016.nsf/mfa50_en/mfa50_en?OpenDocument

• Consular affairs department of the ministry of foreign affairs:

22-651113 8.30am to 3pm, Monday – Friday

• Duty officer of the ministry of foreign affairs:

99-660129 outside working hours*

• Crisis management department of the ministry:

+22-801000 8.30am to 3pm, Monday – Friday

* The Duty officer’s line is reachable outside office hours and is intended to provide assistance in emergency situations.

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ARREST OF TWO PERSONS IN CONNECTION WITH INVESTIGATIONS INTO BURGLARIES AND THEFTS

 7/9/2020

A total of six cases of burglaries and thefts are being investigated by the Police in Paphos province against two persons who were arrested and detained to facilitate interrogations.

 

These are cases of office break-ins, two supermarkets, a bakery, a kiosk and a restaurant, committed last night, in the areas of Kisonerga and Lebas, in Paphos.

 

A car was stolen from the office. The car was then spotted and picked up by members of the police.

 

A laptop computer, cash register and soft drinks were stolen from the restaurant, a number of cigarette and tobacco packets were stolen from the two supermarkets and the cash register drawer of one supermarket containing coins and two plastic coin boxes were stolen from the bakery. Nothing was stolen from the stand after the alleged assailants fled the scene when the alarm system sounded.

 

During the examinations by members of the Peyia Police Station, testimony was obtained against a 35-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman for committing the six burglaries and thefts. They were arrested and detained for examination purposes.

 

Peyia Police Station is investigating.

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EXCAVATION PROJECT AT FABRIKA HILL IN PAPHOS PRESENTED

 Cyprus Mail 8 September 2020 - by Bejay Browne

A mosaic floor that was part of a building of the Hellenistic period is among the important finds from excavations carried out at Fabrika Hill in Kato Paphos.

The work was presented to Paphos Municipal Council on Monday evening by the head of the Archaeological Mission of the University of Avignon France, Professor of Archaeology and Ancient Greek History, Claire Balandier.

Balandier, who has headed the archaeological expedition that has been conducting excavations on site for the past12 years, said the Fabrika Hill area was the Acropolis of Paphos and with very important monuments for the history of the area.

“Mayor of Paphos, Phedonas Phedonos invited Professor Balandier to inform the members of the House about the important excavation work carried out in the last 12 years in this area by the French Archaeological Mission,” an announcement from Paphos municipality said.

“She even ranked the quarries that existed there as the third most important after the quarries of Petra in Jordan and Sicily,” it said.

The Professor also pointed out that excavation work is difficult at this time due to coronavirus since students could not come to the area or work. This year we are doing studies and cleaning, while at the same time the programme is being prepared for next year, she said.

One of the important findings of the area is a room with a mosaic floor that was part of a building of the Hellenistic period. It was found that the building was supplied with water from a clay pipe that is preserved in a very good condition, while the water came from the area of Tala.  This building appears to have been partially destroyed by later Roman-era water supply projects, which included the construction of a pipeline and reservoirs.

The mayor expressed his warm thanks to Professor Balandier, who has been visiting Paphos for 31 years and is fluent in Greek, and to all the foreign archaeological expeditions that have been conducting excavations in the city in recent years.

He referred in particular to the mission of the University of Krakow, led by Professor of Greek descent Evdoxia-Papoutsi-Wladyka, who is conducting an excavation in the ancient market of Paphos, as well as the mission of the University of Sydney, under the direction of Dr Craig Barker, and the discovery of the largest Hellenistic theatre with 8,000 seats.

 

 

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PAWS ONLINE QUIZ NIGHTS - 9 & 30 September

 

PAWS ONLINE QUIZ NIGHTS

Wednesday 9th and 30 September - 7.30pm CY - 5.30pm UK

€5ppp - www.pawsdogshelter.com

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PAWS RAFT RACE - Bonamare Beach, Timi - 12 September - Virtual or online

 

PAWS RAFT RACE - Virtual and online - note max 50 people if virtual

Bonamare Beach, Timi - or link via zoom

Saturday 12 September - 10am

www.pawsdogshelter.com

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ALCOHOLIC DRINKS IN CYPRUS PRICED SLIGHTLY ABOVE EU28 AVERAGE

 in-cyprus 8 September 2020 - by Annie Charalambous

The price of alcoholic drinks in Cyprus last year stood slightly above the EU 28 average, according to figures released by Eurostat on Tuesday.

It said that in 2019, the price of alcoholic drinks across the European Union was more than twice as high in the most expensive Member State than in the cheapest one.

When price levels in countries are compared with the EU average price level index of 100, the results show that in 2019, the price of alcoholic drinks (spirits, wine and beer) was highest in Finland (with a price level index of 191), followed by Ireland (182) and Sweden (156).

In contrast, the price levels for alcoholic drinks in 2019 were lowest in Romania (with a price level index of 76), followed by Bulgaria (79) and Hungary (80).

Cyprus was slightly above the EU average and ranked the 12th most expensive in the bloc.

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EXPLAINER - WRANGLING OVER NORTHERN IRELAND THREATENS BREXIT, AGAIN

 Reuters 7 September 2020

© Reuters/CLODAGH KILCOYNE FILE PHOTO: U.S. House Speaker Pelosi visits Ireland

LONDON/DUBLIN/BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Britain's Brexit negotiations with the European Union have repeatedly snagged - and sometimes collapsed - over Northern Ireland. Why?

THE BORDER

A hard border with customs, security and passport control between the United Kingdom's Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland is unacceptable as it threatens the delicate balance brought by the 1998 peace process that ended three decades of conflict between Irish Catholic nationalists and pro-British Protestant unionists.

© Reuters/Phil Noble FILE PHOTO: A man looks out over the Irish sea off Blackpool, England

That created a problem: will the only land border between the EU and post-Brexit UK become a back door into the bloc's cherished single market?

THE SOLUTION: BOTH WORLDS

Prime Minister Boris Johnson agreed to regulatory and customs alignment with the EU for Northern Ireland only, but with the addition of a consent mechanism through which the Northern Ireland assembly could vote to exit the arrangements.

So while Northern Ireland would formally remain part of the UK customs territory it would also be aligned to EU rules and remain a de-facto member of the bloc's single market.

In effect then, the customs and regulatory border is in the Irish sea - between Britain and Northern Ireland.

CHECKS/STATE AID

Squaring the circle on paper was the easy bit: it remains unclear what checks will be needed, and how they should be administered, on goods arriving in Northern Ireland from Britain.

Cabinet office minister Michael Gove has set out a Trader Support Service to help businesses in Northern Ireland comply with new bureaucracy of bringing in goods from Britain.

There are also questions over state aid. Any state-aid rules made by the British government would apply to Northern Ireland, as it is part of the United Kingdom.

But if those rules broke EU rules, then Brussels would be able to challenge them in Northern Ireland and by extension across the whole of the United Kingdom. Any dispute would be settled by EU courts.

That is unacceptable to Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his top advisers who say they are not scared by a no-deal exit.

FT REPORT:

The Financial Times reported that sections of Britain's internal market bill — due to be published this Wednesday — are expected to "eliminate the legal force of parts of the withdrawal agreement" in areas including state aid and Northern Ireland customs, according to three people familiar with the plans.

WHAT DOES THE UK SAY?

Britain said on Monday it remained fully committed to implementing the withdrawal agreement it agreed with the European Union, describing proposed changes as limited clarifications.

London wants there to be no need for export declarations for goods moving from Northern Ireland to the rest of Britain and it wants ministers to have the power to step in if required.

The government wants to make sure there is clarification to ensure that EU state aid law will apply in Northern Ireland but not in the rest of Britain. It wants a secretary of state to set out guidance to make clear that is the case.

WHAT DOES IRELAND SAY?

Ireland said that undermining the Withdrawal Agreement would be a very unwise way to proceed.

"International agreements and international treaties have to be honoured and they trump any domestic legislation than any country may pass," Irish Deputy PM Leo Varadkar said.

"That agreement is in place to make sure we don't see the emergence of a hard border between north and south, something we all want to avoid," he said.

WHAT DOES THE EU SAY?

The EU reacted by saying Britain would be shooting itself in the foot if it rolled back on commitments sealed under its divorce treaty with the bloc as it would undermine London's credibility in any international agreements, including on trade.

Should the legal amendments not undermine Northern Ireland's links to the EU's single market or the bloc's own state aid policies, ensure proper controls for customs, live animals and animal products, as well as rules of origin on the sensitive border the bloc might end up not objecting to them.

However, the devil is in the detail as the matter is fraught with multiple political and technical challenges.

(Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge, Elizabeth Piper, William James and Gabriela Baczynska; Editing by Andrew Heavens)

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GESY HEADED DOWN SAME ROAD AS DEFUNCT CO-OP KEVE WARNS

 Cyprus Mail 7 September 2020 - by Evie Andreou

Nicosia hospital A&E department Photo: Christos Theodorides

Gesy, unless managed properly, could share the same fate as the now defunct Co-operative Bank, Christodoulos Angastiniotis, head of the chamber of commerce and industry (Keve) has said.

Angastiniotis, during an interview with Insider magazine, said that when the proper, full picture is given on the public healthcare expenditure, it will be seen that it is “going from bad to worse.”

“And I warn that no government, neither this nor the next, should even think about increasing our contributions,” the head of the country’s Cypriot businessmen’s union said.

For Angastiniotis, Gesy, along with the social insurance fund and the Co-operative Bank was one of the major social achievements in Cyprus.

“History teaches us that if there is no measure, professional management and rationality these social conquests will be lost,” he said, expressing fears that Gesy may too end up like the Co-op bank that was shuttered by the government in 2018.

Angasitiniotis said it was inconceivable that an organisation like the Health Insurance Organisation (HIO) that runs Gesy, and which controls amounts corresponding to six per cent of the country’s GDP, €1.2 bn, does not yet have a general manager.

He added that state hospitals, that make up 50 per cent of the public health sector, continue to be “a bottomless pit, a black hole in budgets increasing their deficits”.

Nothing substantial has been done to make them competitive, he said, referring to the goal of rendering them administrative and financially autonomous so that they can compete with private hospitals under Gesy.

Angastiniotis called the decision for the state to cover state hospitals’ deficit whatever the amount for five years without substantial control as “a tragic mistake”.

He also expressed fears that if beneficiaries and healthcare providers continue to abuse the system, it would lead to its demise.

“Even if there is no increase in contributions and the government tries to finance it from other sources, what will be the outcome? Won’t we be led to an increase in other taxes again?” he asked.

Angastiniotis warned that unless Gesy operates in an orderly manner and strict supervision is introduced, things will lead with mathematical precision to the same situation as the crash of the stock market in the early 2000s but also the end of the Co-op-bank.

“Today’s practices of impunity and euphoria are reminiscent of the time of the stock market bubble when everyone was winning and was happy until we saw the results,” he said.

He pointed out that something is amiss today referring to the fees of doctors, labs and pharmacies.

Angastiniotis also said Keve was against the HIO’s idea, backed by service providers, of creating closed professions within the system, whereby it will choose which pharmacies and other associates it would cooperate with thus closing the door to the rest.

This, he said, would mean HIO making a pre-selection of associates “as if it were a private company, excluding the rest but also those who will enter the market later after the end of their studies.” He said the same system is being contemplated for MRI centres.

“You can only behave like that when you are in free competition, if you are a state monopoly you cannot even think about it.”

 

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CYPRUS OFFICERS TO BEIRUT OVER INCREASED MIGRANT INFLUX FROM NEIGHBOURING COUNTRY

 in-cyprus 8 September 2020 - by Annie Charalambous

Cyprus is sending representatives to Lebanon over the next 48 hours to discuss with authorities there an apparent increased migrant influx from the neighbouring country, Interior Minister Nicos Nouris has announced.

The representatives will be from the ministries of Justice, Defence and Foreign Affairs, from the National Guard, Police Force and Asylum Services.

The Minister also said on Monday that the authorities in Cyprus will brief thoroughly the European Union on the matter and will ask for its assistance.

And that the increased arrivals cannot be managed by Cyprus as all the reception centers are now full , adding that the pandemic has also created new challenges.

Cyprus borders are also EU borders and FRONTEX could assist the authorities in safely guarding them, he also said.

He pointed out that Cyprus government has the obligation to provide assistance to all those who are seeking a safe refuge but our country’s possibilities in doing so are limited.

The Minister said that at Pournaras reception center the quarantine areas are full and four more areas were prepared to accommodate migrants and refugees.

He said that more than 400 people are now at the quarantine areas and 286 in other areas at the center.

Nouris said that at the moment two boats with migrants are anchored in Cyprus waters and described as inaccurate press reports that the boats who transferred people back to Lebanon were in danger. (CNA)

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