THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 10 - CORONAVIRUS GLOBAL UPDATE

 in-cyprus 10 September 2020 - by Annie Charalambous

Here’s what you need to know about the coronavirus right now:

Global death toll

The global death toll from the coronavirus passed 900,000 on Wednesday, as worldwide cases topped 27.7 million, according to a Reuters tally. An average of more than 5,600 people die each day from COVID-19, according to Reuters calculations based on data from the last two weeks.

As the epicentre of the pandemic shifts to India, there is no sign of a peak in the world’s second-most populous nation. As bars reopened Wednesday for the first time since lockdown, it is adding more cases each day than any other country since the onset at the start of the year. It is also recording more deaths than any other country – an average of more than 1,000 daily for the last two weeks.

State of coronavirus restrictions worldwide:

New York City restaurants, struggling to stay in business after months of closures imposed in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, won a long-awaited approval on Wednesday to resume limited indoor dining capped at 25% capacity. In Los Angeles County, health officials prohibited Halloween parties and said children should not be allowed to trick or treat during the popular fall holiday on Oct. 31.

In England, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said groups of more than six people would be banned from meeting. Johnson said there was a clear need to act after a spike in COVID-19 infections, and that the measures were likely to remain in place for more than a few weeks.

In Australia, federal Health Minister Greg Hunt on Thursday urged COVID-19 hotspot state, Victoria, to consider lifting its night curfew from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. in Melbourne if the decision was not made on health advice. Australia’s federal government has been anxious to ensure state restrictions are not prolonged for longer than necessary given the damage to the economy.

Scientists question Russian vaccine data

Twenty-six scientists, most of them working at universities in Italy, have signed an open letter questioning the reliability of the data presented in the early-stage trial results of the Russian COVID-19 vaccine, named “Sputnik-V”. The letter, published on the personal blog page of one of the signatories, said the Phase I/II trial results data showed multiple participants reporting identical antibody levels.

However, the scientists said they were basing their conclusions on summaries of the Russian trial result data, published in the journal, rather than the original data itself. The Gamaleya Institute, which developed the vaccine, rejected the critique.

U.S. to end enhanced screening of some travellers

The U.S. government is set to end enhanced screening of some international passengers for COVID-19 and drop requirements that travelers coming from the targeted countries arrive at 15 designated U.S. airports, according to U.S. and airline officials and a government document seen by Reuters.

The changes are set to take effect as early as Monday, according to the draft rollout plan seen by Reuters, but the move could still be delayed, U.S. officials said.

The document says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) “is shifting its strategy and prioritizing other public health measures to reduce the risk of travel-related disease transmission.” It said that of 675,000 passengers screened at the 15 airports, “fewer than 15 have been identified as having COID-19.”

Battery-powered face masks

A South Korean company has invented a battery-powered filtered face mask designed to reduce annoying problems associated with conventional designs, such as breathing difficulties and fogged-up glasses.

LG Electronics’ PuriCare Wearable, which comes in one size and weighs as much as a pair of ski goggles, features two fans and high-efficiency particle air filters that clean air coming in and exhaled breath going out.

The device will be available in the fourth-quarter in select markets. LG is yet to set a price. LG said the mask has a battery life of about eight hours on low-power settings and two hours on its highest setting. (Reuters)

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CYPRUS AIMS TO REDUCE ROAD DEATHS BY AT LEAST 50% BY 2030

 in-cyprus 10 September 2020 - by Annie Charalambous

The Cyprus government’s goal is to achieve a reduction in the number of deaths from road collisions by at least 50% by 2030.

This is what Minister of Transport, Communications and Works Yiannis Karousos said
after a meeting of the Road Safety Council which convened on Wednesday and adopted the new Strategic Plan for Road Safety 2021-2030.

The Secure System, the Minister said, is an EU approach for the next decade and consists of a road traffic system, road infrastructure, vehicles and road users and is implemented with policies and actions belonging to 5 main pillars.

These are effective road safety management, safe roads and mobility, safe vehicles, safe road users and effective post-collision response.

The goal, he went on to say, is to achieve a reduction of at least 50% in deaths from road collisions by 2030 and a 50% reduction in serious injuries.

Meanwhile, referring to statistical data that were presented at the meeting, the Minister said that according to the statistics, every death from a car accident costs about 3 million euros in the economy.

Last year, he said, 52 people lost their lives from road accidents and the cost for  the economy was over 150 million euro.

On her part, Minister of Justice and Public Order Emily Yiolitis said the updated road safety strategic plan includes a number of actions which aim to reduce traffic accidents.

To that effect she referred to the inclusion of recommendations by police experts on road safety matters, noting that the plan’s implementation is expected to greatly improve road safety.

She also spoke of the need of coordination between relevant agencies in order for the plan to be implemented.

The police, Yiolitis noted, has a role in implementing a great number of actions and spoke of the need for planning and prioritising actions.

The Ministry has already asked police to double narco-tests, she said, adding that at the same time a letter has already been sent to the Union of Municipalities and the Ministry has taken the initiative of coordinating police and municipalities to achieve  a better cooperation of traffic officers.

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CYPRUS ELECTRICITY PRICES COULD FALL ON LOWER OIL PRICE

 Cyprus Mail 10 September 2020

by Dr. Charles Ellinas

The Covid-19 pandemic brought havoc to oil supply and demand, and to global oil markets and prices. With the global economy grinding to a halt, this led to an unprecedented 16.4million barrels/day (mb/d) drop in global oil demand during the second quarter of 2020, causing a dramatic collapse in the oil price. OPEC+ and other major producers reacted swiftly by implementing equally unprecedented cuts in oil production, reaching close to 14mb/d in April, from a peak production of about 100mb/d at the start of the year.

But currently, with global economic activity slowly recovering, oil demand is also on the way up, albeit at a slow rate. The International Energy Agency (IEA) expects that global oil demand will decline by 7,9mb/d in 2020 and to recover by 5,3mb/d in 2021, still 2,6mb/d below 2019 levels.

The Brent oil price has now recovered from the lows it reached in April – down to less than $20/barrel – hovering within a range between $40-45/barrel since end of May. But uncertainties associated with the increasing Covid-19 cases and the risk of further lockdowns are preventing further recovery.

However, with OPEC+ still committed to a cut in oil production of 7,7mb/d to the end of the year, the oil price is likely to remain stable, but low.

Nevertheless, the IEA confirms that the worst of oil demand decline is now behind us, but warns that the risk to the oil market outlook will remain as long as Covid-19 continues to disrupt recovery of global economic activity.

Prominent among oil price forecasts in the period to 2024 are those provided by Fitch Solutions and Bloomberg.

Fitch Solutions expects Brent to average $41/barrel this year, increasing to an average of $45/barrel in 2021, $50/barrel in 2022, $53/in 2023, remaining at $53/barrel in 2024. But Fitch says that should lockdowns become more widespread and prolonged, these prices could end up being 10%-20% lower.

Bloomberg is more optimistic, forecasting that Brent will average $42,4/barrel in 2020, $50/barrel in 2021, $53/barrel in 2022, $55/barrel in 2023 and $60,4/barrel in 2024.

Clearly, both expect a gradual recovery, but by the end of 2024 Brent crude will still be well below the average price of $64,4/barrel reached in 2019 and $71,3/barrel in 2018.

What it could mean for the price of electricity

So what would this mean for the price of electricity in Cyprus, that in 2018 was over 90% dependent on oil products – diesel and heavy-fuel-oil. In order to understand that, lets look at Cyprus Electricity Authority’s (EAC) cost make-up. In 2018, the last year for which there are published accounts, fuel accounted for 63 per cent of costs, operational costs for 31 per cent and profit was about 6 per cent. Oil products comprised 83 per cent of the fuel cost, with 17 per cent spent on the purchase of renewable electricity and greenhouse-gas emission allowances.

Interestingly, this cost make-up compares with other electricity producers, but with EAC having higher operational costs. In 2018 the Public Power Corporation of Greece (PPC) spending was 68 per cent on fuel, 27 per cent on operational costs, with 5 per cent profit. EDF in the UK did better, with 66 per cent on fuel and 25 per cent on operational costs and 9 per cent profit. There is room for improvement, but evidently EAC fares reasonably against other similar companies.

As a result of the abnormal impact of the pandemic on the economy and the consumption of electricity, it is not possible to infer what would be a reasonable price for electricity in 2020. In addition, the regulator, CERA, decided that, due to the impact from the pandemic, EAC should lower its tariff by 10% during the lockdown period, extended later by a further four months.

However, with the oil price in 2021 expected to be about 63 per cent of its 2018 average – based on Fitch’s base-case – EAC’s oil product fuel costs should experience a similar drop. Assuming that electricity consumption and operational costs remain the same, but that the cost of purchasing of renewable electricity and greenhouse-gas emission allowances doubles in comparison to 2018, would lead to close to a 10 per cent reduction in the price of electricity in 2021. According to Eurostat, the 2018 household electricity price in Cyprus was €0,22/kWh. As a result, the 2021 price should be about €0,20/kWh.

But with the cost of oil products and the cost of purchasing of renewable electricity and greenhouse-gas emission allowances rising, any benefits will disappear after 2021.

However, there is hope. Presenting CERA’s annual report to President Anastasiades early September, CERA chairman Andreas Poullikkas said “We expect healthy competition in this sector by the end of 2021”, presumably through increased adoption of renewables.

In addition, according to DEFA, the LNG import terminal is expected to be completed in 2021. DEFA says that the substitution of oil products in power generation by gas will cut consumer costs by up to 25 per cent.

Should these developments deliver as indicated, their combined impact could be substantial cuts in Cyprus’ electricity prices by 2022, well in excess of 25 per cent.

The other beneficiaries of low oil prices will be motorists, who over the next few years should be profiting from low petrol prices.

 

 

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EU, TRAVEL INDUSTRY SEEK TO HARMONISE TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS

 Cyprus Mail 10 September 2020 - by Andrew Rosenbaum

The European Tourism Manifesto, an alliance of more than 60 trade organisations and private companies in the tourism sector, has called on Member States to urgently agree to harmonised travel restrictions, so that safe travel throughout the EU again becomes possible.

 The move follows the EU Commission’s announcement last Friday proposing a set of recommendations to prevent discriminatory measures applied by member states in a new attempt to harmonise fragmented COVID-19 travel restrictions across the bloc.

The Commission has re-released a new website, “Reopen EU” (first opened in June, but now upgraded)

(https://reopen.europa.eu/en ) which provides comprehensive and up-to-date information on travel restrictions by country. “This interactive tool provides you with the information that you need to confidently plan your European travel and holidays, while staying healthy and safe,” the site says.

Every 2.7 per cent increase in travel flows would generate or bring back one million jobs in the sector. Harmonising the inconsistent patchwork of COVID-19 rules and travel advice in Europe could lead to an increase in travellers by as much as 27 per cent, recreating 10 million jobs in travel and tourism across Europe, the European Tourism Manifesto notes, citing the latest WTTC research.

“European travel and tourism is the ecosystem most affected by the coronavirus crisis due to insufficiently coordinated travel restrictions, declining traveller confidence and reduced consumer demand. The 2020 summer season was strongly impacted by this crisis, with traveller confidence reaching a record low.” the European Tourism Manifesto alliance said in statement published on Tuesday.

“We call on national governments to urgently approve the European Commission’s proposal and to:

• Establish common criteria and thresholds for determining epidemiological risk, including a common colour-coding system to identify risk areas. These criteria should be evaluated on a detailed regional level, considering relevant geographical factors (particularly islands).
• Implement common measures to put in place upon departure to and return from risk areas. These measures should be determined with sufficient detail and based on scientific evidence (as there is no reason to restrict travel to entire countries if only certain regions are affected), and comprise:

• Replacing the need for quarantine of travellers with comprehensive cost-effective testing and tracing
• Avoiding blanket restrictions to free movement by implementing more targeted measures which are limited in geographical scope
• Avoiding imposing travel restrictions on passengers in transit
• Agreeing on common rules for requesting pre-travel COVID-19 negative test results where needed
• Ensuring the interoperability of contact tracing apps in the EU and the harmonization of Passenger Locator Forms based on international standards.
• Follow a common structured and transparent process to publish clear, comprehensive and timely information about any travel restrictions where these are needed,” the statement said.

These proposals comprehend and expand on those of the EU Commission.

“While many Europeans were keen to travel again during the summer, the inconsistent and everchanging border restrictions along with confusion about quarantine and test requirements, caused frustration for both businesses and travellers, deterring booking and damaging materialisation for both leisure and business travel,” the statement concludes.

 

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REFLECT FEST GOES DIGITAL - 8, 9 & 10 October

 Cyprus Mail 10 September 2020 - by Alix Norman

In just a few weeks, there’ll be a festival in your home as the Reflect Festival – the region’s largest future casting festival – goes completely digital!

Taking place annually, Reflect is a three-day event showcasing the expertise of skilled futurists from all over the world – the people who not only know what changes will come, but also when, and how we can best prepare. It’s a festival that’s all about moving forward – about rediscovering our dreams, and building our skills for a better, brighter future. As the largest event of its kind in the region, it will connect businesspeople, corporates, startups, academia, entrepreneurs, students, and tech & science enthusiasts, both local and international, and paint a holistic picture of our severely disrupted future, be it technological advancements, next steps after the crisis, or the environment around us.

In past years, it’s been held at the Carob Mill in Limassol, and attracted thousands of attendees both local and international, as well as many of the world’s very best futurists. But this year, thanks to corona, both venue and format have changed and we’re looking at what may well be the future of festival going: a wildly immersive, totally digital experience…

“Reflect Festival, a future-casting event with Cypriot roots, will take place at the home of each participant this year,” say the organising team, led by Stylianos and Andria Lambrou, and Dusan Duffek.

“We decided to move the event solely to virtual space amid the growing number of Covid-19 cases,” says Stylianos. “Until the very last minute, we hoped a physical event would be possible this year, but that would be simply irresponsible. Nevertheless, we are going ahead with a rich festival program online, and we remain dedicated to our mission to (re)connect people who can shape change.”

Taking place over the course of three days on October 8, 9 and 10, this moderated, entertaining program will run from a virtual studio in Limassol. “We are working hard to prepare an experience I’d compare to your favourite talk show,” says Stylianos. “It will be dynamic, it will be fun, and it will include opportunities to network and arrange meetings as well!”

What that means is three days jam-packed with reinvigoration and innovation, in which both speakers from all over the world and Cypriot thought leaders will tackle topics such as future society, money and the economy, and the future of business (as well as more ‘human’ topics, including happiness and self-development, the future of relationships, and productivity).

These presenters will include Claude Silver, a globally renowned coach, manager, and mentor; Bryony Cole, the world’s leading authority on sextech; Petr Ludwig, founder and CEO of the company Procrastination.com, which applies the latest scientific findings in neuroscience and behavioural economics to help individuals and companies in their growth; and John Vervaeke, Psychology and Cognitive Science Professor at University of Toronto, renowned for his application of both science and spirituality on solving the meaning crisis.

The festival will also include a unique startup competition supported by Research Innovation & Foundation and Invest Cyprus, and entitled the Reflect Impact Awards 2020. “With the vision of promoting our magnificent island worldwide as an ideal heart of business activities and expansion, Reflect Impact Awards are giving the opportunity to hundreds of startups around the globe to participate and present their novel ideas which will add impact to our challenging future,” say the organisers. “The aim of the Reflect Festival is to build on an innovation ecosystem that will continuously embrace development in all its manifestations and become a pillar of sustainable growth.” More than 200 international startups have already applied.

“Cyprus is booming with incentives and opportunities for businesses, and we are happy to shed some light on those companies which truly deserve it,” Stylianos says. “This edition’s main mission is to connect those eager to be a part of the inevitable reset of the way we live and conduct business and, while we’re happy that there is a way to meet even during a pandemic, we also can’t wait to gather our community in flesh for the 2021 physical edition! At Reflect Festival, we’re all about reminding people the only way is forward – into the future!”

 

More information about the speakers and programme can be found at www.reflectfest.com. Tickets can also be purchased from the website, and one lucky winner will be picked for a trip to Cyprus with a ticket for 2021 Reflect included

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SEVEN THOUSAND FREE OPS IN FIRST TWO MONTHS OF GESY INPATIENT CARE

 Cyprus Mail 9 September 2020 - by Evie Andreou

Seven thousand operations have been carried out free of charge within two months of Gesy introducing inpatient care, the head of the patients’ association Marios Kouloumas said on Wednesday.

Kouloumas participated on Tuesday at a meeting with representatives of the Health Insurance Organisation (HIO) on Gesy and what needs to be still made chaired by Health Minister Constantinos Ioannou.

“Gesy is there, it has brought many positive results,” Kouloumas told the Cyprus News Agency. He added that in the first two months after inpatient care was introduced in Gesy in June, 7,000 surgeries took place free of charge.

He added that it needs, however improvement. “Problems are expected but we need to dialogue, find solutions,” he said.

CNA, citing sources, reports that the health minister has asked Gesy operator HIO to submit a road map with everything that needs to be done within the coming period to resolve pending issues. They also discussed the need for moves in order to identify possible errors arising from restrictions imposed by HIO on patient visits and treatments.

The minister is to participate on Thursday in HIO’s board meeting.

Kouloumas told CNA that during Tuesday’s meeting, his association discussed abuse of the system, restrictions, quality of services, the problem of patient access to public hospitals, and the afternoon operation hours of state hospitals. Patients requested that the infrastructure is fully utilised to offer them more choices.

According to Kouloumas it has been agreed that subcommittees need to be set up in which patients and doctors participate.

 

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CORONAVIRUS - FAMILY GAIN ENTRY WITHOUT MANDATORY AIRPORT TESTING

 Cyprus Mail 10 September 2020 - by Bejay Browne

Airport operator Hermes said on Wednesday it was investigating after Cyprus residents say they gained entry to Cyprus without undergoing mandatory airport testing for coronavirus.

A young family arrived on an easyJet flight from the UK on Tuesday and were not tested for Covid-19 by officials at Paphos airport, a mandatory process for Cypriot citizens and residents, according to a social media post.

The couple initially posted their comments on a popular Facebook group and screen shots of it were sent to the Cyprus Mail, Paphos airport and ministry of health officials by a concerned resident.

The post has since been deleted by the family, the page moderator informed the Cyprus Mail, after it created a huge backlash.

“They are a young couple that live in Paphos and have been self isolating in the UK since March as they have a premature baby. They certainly didn’t skip testing purposefully, it was innocent and they were so relieved to get here. Everyone was very critical of them and also of me as I posted a ‘welcome back’ message to them, but it’s not up to me to police the airport. The couple who I don’t know, have even apologised to me for all of the abuse I received,” the moderator said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The family is now in self isolation, she confirmed, but only after apparently eating out in Paphos after their arrival.

The couple’s post read: “Finally back home in Paphos. Bizarrely though we were sitting on the plane with all of the others that had opted for a test on arrival. (Available to Cyprus residents.) EasyJet staff told us that we would have to have the test at 60 euros each. We waited in line, an astute airport employee noticed that our baby was getting very hot after 20 minutes in the sun, so waved us through. No checks whatsoever, despite ‘Test on arrival’ in big red letters. We thought we would be tested at the next stage, but we were just allowed to collect our bags and leave.”

The post continued: “I don’t know if they just didn’t bother due to the volume of people, or we just slipped through the cracks? Either way, sat in Paphos with a chicken kebab and a cold beer. Yiammas.”

A staff member of Paphos airport told the Cyprus Mail that all arrivals for testing are directed to an outside area of the airport to register, pay and wait for a test to be carried out before they are able to leave.

“No-one has the authority to give any exception to anyone and if it did happen, it’s quite strange as you can’t skip the strict process that’s in place. Even if they were waved out of the sun to be shown some shade, the officials inside the building would see that they didn’t have a test and divert them back outside,” he said.

Firstly, passengers must show their negative corona virus test papers to officials of the health ministry and then secondly to immigration.

The Cyprus Mail informed Hermes airports, the operator of the islands two airports, on Wednesday morning of the apparent breach in protocol which resulted in the family not being tested.

“This is impossible, as all arrivals are dealt with meticulously, however we will investigate. Something is not clear here and we will find out what happened. They should have insisted on having the test,” a spokeswoman said.

The Facebook page moderator has posted an update to try and calm people’s concerns, she said.

“The young family who have been isolating since March because they had a premature baby and got stuck in the UK who arrived last night after the young man got out of hospital recently are now back in isolation. Thank you everyone for your concern.”

 

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PAPHOS RACE PART OF EUROPEAN SEARCH FOR BREAST CANCER CURE - Virtual event 25, 26 & 27 September

 Cyprus Mail 10 September 2020 - by Eleni Philippou

The Breast Centre of Cyprus is for the first time on the island organising the Race for the Cure, the biggest sporting event against breast cancer in Europe. A total of 22 countries join forces, with the aim of raising awareness about breast cancer.

Due to the conditions created by the pandemic, the event will take place virtually. All the planned events of Race for the Cure are adapted to the current conditions by participating in a common, pan-European, online race.

The Paphos Race for the Cure will take place on September 25, 26 and 27 with a 3km walk and a 5km road race. What’s different about this race is that the public can participate from wherever they are, with family, friends or colleagues and create their own route.

“Equip yourself with positive energy, smiles and optimism,” say organisers, “run in the park, in the square or your neighbourhood and show the route of your group on all social networks using the hashtags #RFTC2020 and #PaphosRacefortheCure.”

“By taking part in this race we run for the wife, the mother, the sister, for all the women in our lives. For all those who fought and won, for those who are still fighting, but also for those who did not succeed and left us.”

 

Paphos Race for the Cure

Walk or race to raise awareness about breast cancer. September 25-27. All proceeds will be donated to Europa Donna Κύπρου. For more information and registration visit the event website https://www.raceforthecure.eu/en/

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Seung Gon Baek

 Seung Gon Baek 

Selfies Summer 2020

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OUTDOOR EVENTS OF UP TO 350 NOW ALLOWED - ALL MUST BE SEATED

 Cyprus Mail 10 September 2020 - by Nick Theodoulou

Audiences must be seated and social distancing observed

Outdoor events of up to 350 have been given the green light by the health ministry provided that health guidelines are adhered to as for amphitheatres.

This will enable a wide range of activities to go ahead, such as cultural events and political rallies, after much pressure was put on the government.

The announcement on Wednesday states participants must be seated and social distancing measures must be respected.

NB -This is the translation of the actual announcement including guidelines for operation:

Maximum number of persons at cultural and political events

Following many requests by organized groups and agencies concerning the organizing of cultural and/or political events in outdoor spaces, the Ministry of Health would like to inform the public that the holding of cultural events (theatre, music and dance performances, visual exhibitions, etc.) and of political events (gatherings of party members or voters, etc.) in open-air venues such as squares, is permitted under the mandatory obligation of following the corresponding guidelines which govern the organising of events in open-air amphitheatres.  It should be stressed that in each case the maximum number of persons who may attend such events should be 350 under the compulsory obligation of being seated. It should at the same time be made clear that the event organizers should place the seats in accordance with the manner specified in the protocol for open-air amphitheatres, maintaining social distancing in between the seats, regardless of the available area in square metres. (ΕΚ)

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