BREXIT TALKS - BARNIER SAYS 'MUCH REMAINS TO BE DONE'

 Cyprus Mail 2 November 2020 - by Reuters News Service

Brexit talks stretch into another week.

EU and British Brexit negotiators will continue talks in Brussels on Monday and until around mid-week, sources on both sides said on Sunday, in a sign both sides are still pushing to avoid a damaging breakdown in trade in less than nine weeks.

Intensive and secretive, the talks are a final bid to seal a new partnership agreement for when Britain’s transition out of the European Union runs its course at the end of this year.

If the sides overcome their differences, the new deal would govern everything from trade and energy to transport and fisheries. If they fail, an estimated $900 billion of annual bilateral trade in goods and services would be damaged from Jan.1 by tariffs and quotas.

An EU diplomatic source and a UK official said negotiations would continue face-to-face in Brussels on Monday following a full weekend of talks. An update on their progress and the chances of a deal was expected on Wednesday or Thursday, they added.

EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said on Friday that “much remains to be done” to seal a deal.

Another EU diplomat following Brexit in Brussels told Reuters over the weekend that talks were still difficult on the most sensitive issues, including those of economic fair play, fishing rights and how to settle disputes in future.

Both sides have, however, previously signalled their readiness to compromise on fisheries – a politically sensitive issue for both Britain and France, as well as several other EU states – and Reuters reported on Oct.23 that Paris was already laying the groundwork to net a deal.

With time running out, financial markets and businesses are increasingly jittery as Britain and the EU face three main scenarios: a deal this year that salvages free trade, a tumultuous economic split, or a fudged arrangement that would settle future ties in a handful of areas but leave the rest up in the air.

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POLICE INVESTIGATE AS FOUR INJURED ON FIRST DAY OF HUNTING, THREE CHARGED

 Cyprus Mail 2 November 2020 - by Annette Chrysostomou

Four hunters were injured during the first day of the hunting season on Sunday while three more were fined for various offences, one of them €2,000.

Two men were injured in separate incidents while hunting in the Larnaca district.

According to police, a 38-year-old man was hunting with his relatives in the Avdellero area in the morning when he was shot in the face, body and one of his hands.

The injured hunter was taken to Larnaca general hospital where he was treated for the injuries and discharged.

Investigations revealed he was shot by a 61-year-old man who was out hunting animals and did not see the 38-year-old when he fired his gun.

Another man, 39, was slightly injured in the face and chest when he was shot at in the Alaminou area.

He received first aid at Larnaca hospital and was sent home.

It is believed he was injured by another hunter, a 47-year-old man, by accident.

On the same day, a 44-year-old man and his 14-year-old son who were hunting near Nikitari were slightly injured when the shotgun of another hunter went off.

They were taken to Nicosia by a person hunting nearby and treated in hospital before they were discharged.

Three hunters were booked by the Game Fund during the day.

One of them, who was hunting in Tsada, was fined €2,000 for transporting an assembled gun before the permitted time and hunting in a restricted area.

Two others were fined €150 each for transporting assembled shotguns in their vehicles, one in the Moutes area of Statos-Ayios Fotios and the second one near the Evretou reservoir.

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PROJECTS WORTH MORE THAN €10m TO UPGRADE GEROSKIPOU

 Cyprus Mail 2 November 2020 - by Annette Chrysostomou

Geroskipou Beach

Projects worth more than €10 million are ongoing in Geroskipou, Mayor Michalis Pavlides said on Monday.

The traditional centre of the coastal town will be upgraded, while the old army training centre (KEN) will also be utilised, he said.

“Specifically, the municipality of Geroskipou is preparing proposals, so that by November 30 a relevant study will be sent to Greek researchers, in collaboration with the municipality of Paphos, for the promotion of EU-funded projects for the period 2021-2027.”

Some of the projects concern the archaeological and historical monuments of the town, he added.

There are proposals to create a museum with a space for the processing of silk, an event hall and various green areas.

The old buildings of the army training camp may be used as exhibition spaces.

Near the coast, a roundabout is being constructed to facilitate traffic in the area and the road network is being updated.

The road connecting the beach with the town is expected to be completed in June next year, “so next summer we will have a safer and shorter access to the beach”. More parking spaces are also under construction.

A health centre including a dental clinic, a mental health clinic, a maternity ward and other services was inaugurated last Friday.

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MISSING FROM LIMASSOL

 02/11/2020 13:25:00

TALAT NEVZAT

Police are asking for information that may help locate TALAT NEVZAT, 55, a Limassol resident whose 

whereabouts have been missing since October 20, 2020.

 

The 55-year-old is described as being 1.75m high. approximately, strong physique, with gray hair.

 

Anyone who knows anything that can help locate them is kindly requested to contact the Limassol 

POLICE at 25-805057 or the Citizen's Contact Line at the telephone number 1460 or with the nearest 

Police Station.

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IMPORTANT NOTICE RE ROAD CLOSURES IN TALA WEF 4 NOVEMBER - FOR APPROX 7 WEEKS

 

ANNOUNCEMENT

 

Tala Community Council would like to inform you that, due to works that will be carried out at the junction of roads on the north side of the old church of St. Catherine, as from Wednesday, November 4, the following roads will be closed to traffic. They will be accessible only to those with residences in the immediate area beyond the point where the road has been closed.

The project is expected to last 7 weeks.

Drivers are kindly requested to comply with the signs, in order to avoid their own inconvenience.

Agias Aikaterinis: From Vrasidas taverna to the centre

Griva Digeni: From the T-junction with Stephanou Demetriou to the square.

Liami - Hazeliou: From the T-junction with Stephanou Demetriou

Agiou I. Chrysostomou and Andreas Stefani: From the T-junction with Arch. Makarios III.

 

We thank you for your understanding and cooperation and we apologize for the inconvenience.

 

 ΑΝΑΚΟΙΝΩΣΗ

Το Κοινοτικό Συμβούλιο σας ενημερώνει ότι, λόγω έργων που θα διεξάγονται στη συμβολή των δρόμων στην βόρεια πλευρά της εκκλησίας της Αγίας Αικατερίνης, από την Τετάρτη 4 Νοεμβρίου οι πιο κάτω δρόμοι θα είναι κλειστοί για την τροχαία. Θα είναι προσβάσιμοι μόνον για όσους έχουν την κατοικία τους πέραν του σημείου που θα είναι κλειστοί.

Τα έργα προβλέπεται να διαρκέσουν 7 εβδομάδες.

Παρακαλούνται οι οδηγοί να συμμορφώνονται με τις σημάνσεις και τις πινακίδες που θα τοποθετηθούν, προς αποφυγή δικής τους ταλαιπωρίας.

Αγίας Αικατερίνης: Από ταβέρνα Βρασίδα προς το κέντρο

Γρίβα Διγενή: Από την συμβολή με Στέφανου Δημητρίου προς το κέντρο

Λιαμή – Χαζελίου: Από την συμβολή με Στέφανου Δημητρίου

Αγίου Ι. Χρυσοστόμου και Ανδρέα Στεφανή: Από την συμβολή με Αρχ. Μακαρίου ΙΙΙ.

Σας ευχαριστούμε για την κατανόηση και τη συνεργασία και απολογούμαστε για την ταλαιπωρία.

 

 

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FORTYTWO CITIZENS FINED OVER BREACH OF COVID-19 PREVENTATIVE MEASURES

in-cyprus 2 November 2020 - by Annie Charalambous

Forty two citizens were fined in Cyprus over the past 24 hours for violation of covid-19 measures aiming to prevent the further spread of the pandemic.

This what police said on Monday, adding that a total of 1,868 inspections were carried out island-wide.

In Nicosia, 425 inspections took place and 13 citizens were booked while in Limassol one citizens got a fine out of 181 inspections.

In Larnaca, 500 inspections led to 14 citizens getting booked while in Paphos five citizens got a fine out of 210 inspections.

In Famagusta, 431 inspections led to six citizens getting booked while in Morphou area three citizens got a fine out of 121 inspections.

(CNA)

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SIZOPOULOS RECOMMENDATION FOR UNIVERSAL LOCKDOWN FOR THREE WEEKS

 Filenews 2 November 2020

Universal lockdown for three weeks to the standards of last April, but with proper implementation of these measures, recommends the President of the KS EDEC, Marinos Sizopoulos, who calls on the Government to take immediate and effective measures to control and limit the spread of the virus.

In statements to the House, Mr. Sizopoulos warns that "unless immediate and effective measures are taken, the complete destruction of the economy, as well as the significant increase in deaths, must be taken for granted".

In particular, the President of the EDEC recommends the complete closure of airports, ports, marinas and roadblocks, while stressing that entry into the country should begin after January, with strict rules and with control over all incomings.

It also proposes to take measures to strengthen self-workers and small and medium-sized enterprises, which will be affected by the lockdown, noting that concrete proposals have already been submitted to the Minister both to increase the liquidity of the specific entrepreneurs affected and to the State.

In addition, it states that a gradual return to normality and a complete return to normality, subject to a significant reduction in cases, should be done in time before Christmas to enable the economy to be revitalised.

"The rapid increase in cases of coronavirus in recent weeks and the inability to fully trace the transmission chains render the measures taken to date ineffective", stresses Mr. Sizopoulos.

As he adds ,"the risk of a gradual increase in cases in older people or vulnerable groups will lead to an increase in the number of people in need of ICU hospitalization and possibly an increase in the number of deaths".

Finally, it states that the significant increase in expenditure, to deal with the second wave of the pandemic and the economic consequences of a possible global lockdown over the Christmas period, will have a huge impact on the already tested Cypriot society.

Source: eyenews/CYPE

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CYPRUS IS ONE STEP AWAY FROM THE EUROPEAN COURT OF JUSTICE

 Filenews 2 November 2020 - by Angelos Nikolaou

One step before it is referred to the Court of Justice of the EU is Cyprus, because it does not adequately protect biodiversity. Although Cyprus has designated specific conservation areas for the protection of natural habitats and wild flora and fauna included in the Natura 2000 network, the Commission considers that the designation of protected areas is inadequate and is not satisfied with the measures taken for the protection areas already defined.  

The Commission, in a reasoned opinion sent to the Authorities of the Republic last Friday, calls on Cyprus to complete the network of protected areas.

In particular, the Commission calls on Cyprus to fully implement Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats, as well as of wild fauna and flora and Directive 2009/147/EC on the conservation of wild birds. In accordance with the Community Directives, each Member State shall contribute to the establishment of the Natura 2000 network by establishing an adequate number of Special Protection Zones (SPAs) and Sites of Community Importance (CSFs), adequately covering all types of natural habitats and all priority species of wild flora and fauna found in the territory of the Member States.

Both the European Green Agreement and the European Biodiversity Strategy indicate that it is vital for the EU to halt biodiversity loss by improving and restoring damaged ecosystems in good ecological condition. The Commission notes that 'Cyprus has not submitted an exhaustive list of proposed CSOs and has not provided all the necessary information for each site'. Therefore, it notes, the Natura 2000 network does not adequately cover the different types of natural habitats and species of wild flora and fauna in need of protection.

After sending the reasoned opinion, Cyprus has two months to remedy the situation. Otherwise, the Commission warns that it may decide to refer the case to the Court of Justice of the European Union.

The Natura 2000 Network is a wide and coherent network of protection areas for natural habitat types and species of wild flora and fauna found in EU Member States. It is the cornerstone of THE EU's biodiversity protection policy and aims to safeguard, conserve and manage vulnerable habitats and endangered species throughout their natural area of spread in Europe.

 

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USEFUL NO FOR COVID EMERGENCIES - AND REMINDER RE CONTACT TRACING

 Filenews 2 November 2020

In the call center 1412 (8 a.m. – 8 p.m., Monday - Friday) as well as at the e-mail address covid@moh.gov.cy, for questions regarding the protocols and guidelines in force and for general information about the crown, citizens can be contacted.

Contact the 1420 call centre is only for COVID19 emergency reporting.

Source: eyenews

CONTACT TRACING:

Following prior information on changes made to improve the process of informing virus-positive individuals and their close contacts, and in the context of the continuous upgrading of the process,the Department of Health's Tracing Team has modified the procedures in order to facilitate its work and make communication more immediate.

In particular, by informing the Contracting Laboratories to identify a case and submit the result, the Tracing Team shall communicate by text message and telephone with the virus positive person within 24 hours of the result being received.

It is noted that results are submitted and accepted only by laboratories carrying out the PCR method and have completed the process of verifying the diagnostic methodology that detects virus genetic material (RT-RCR). Laboratories that have not followed the verification process of their diagnostic methodology are not recognized by the Ministry of Health and do not submit their results to the Unit. Therefore, the Epidemiological Surveillance Unit does not receive an update. For the purpose of proper adherence to the procedure, citizens are encouraged to choose a laboratory approved by the Ministry of Health in case they wish to undergo a molecular examination for coronavirus.

When the Tracing Team communicates with the virus positive person, it sends the Unit electronically from the citizen himself a list of his close contacts, in order to initiate the investigation and forwarding to the Public Health Clinics for arranging an appointment for sampling. People who have been identified as close contacts receive a text message on their mobile phone with instructions for self-containing.

Close contact is defined as contact lasting >15 minutes at a distance of <2 metres from a case with confirmed COVID-19 infection or direct contact with respiratory secretions without the application of personal protective equipment. Self-confinement means total isolation at home for a period of 14 days from the date of contact with the confirmed incident.

After 14 days from the day of contact with the god, close contact is automatically released without it being necessary to undergo a COVID-19 test. If within 14 days of self-containing the person exhibits symptoms, then he should contact his Personal Physician for medical guidance, telling him that it is a close contact case.

As regards the handling of positive cases that remain self-contained, the Public Health Clinics communicate after the 14th day to arrange a repeat test. In accordance with the Protocol, the case shall be released when:

1. Two consecutive negative tests shall follow after the 14th day, which shall be carried out by the 21st day following the date on which positive tests were diagnosed, or

2. After the 21st day, on the basis of the Protocol, the positive case shall be automatically released, since on the basis of the studies the plasma load is low and there is no risk of transmission.

The Epidemiological Surveillance Unit makes it clear that persons who have been declared as incidents of coronavirus, regardless of whether they have obtained two negative tests before the 14th day, are obliged to remain in self-contained condition.

All citizens are invited, whether they are a confirmed COVID-19 incident, or close case contacts to comply and follow the instructions given to them by the Tracing Team. Responsible behaviour is the key to limiting dispersal in the community and preventing further outbreaks of daily incidents.

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CYPRUS IS EXPECTED TO BE PLACED IN PARTIAL LOCKDOWN SHORTLY

 Filenews 2 November 2020

The whole of Cyprus is expected to enter a partial lockdown in the coming days with the aim of limiting the dispersion of the coronavirus following the alarming three-digit numbers of cases recorded daily, according to valid information from the CYPE.

In particular, the first step will be to extend the restrictive measures in force in Limassol and Paphos and the other provinces. The motion is expected to be put before the Cabinet on Wednesday for a decision.

Sources told the CYPE that further additional measures are not excluded for the provinces of Limassol and Paphos where the situation is extremely worrying.

The measures in force for Limassol and Paphos, which are expected to be imposed on a Cyprus basis, are as we know:

-Restaurants (restaurants, bars, coffee shops, snack bars, etc.) are allowed until 10:30 p.m. However, home delivery services are allowed after 10:30 p.m.

-It is forbidden to move citizens after 11:00 in the evening and until 5:00 in the morning excluding travel for exceptional medical reasons, such as travel to and from a pharmacy or hospital or for work purposes with the presentation of a certificate or evidence.

-All afternoon sports and social activities of children under the age of 18 are suspended, such as football, dancing, swimming lessons, martial arts, theatre, etc.

-The competitions of athletes' championships of all sports under the age of 18 of the teams whose seats are located in the provinces of Limassol and Paphos are also suspended. This means that matches that give teams with seats in the provinces with teams from the other provinces are postponed until the end of the measures.

The measures currently in force in Cyprus are:

-Use of a mask in open public places other than sports people.

-It is permitted to attend gatherings in houses and public gathering places with the exception of dining areas with a maximum number of 10 people gathered.

-The maximum number of persons allowed to be served in the dining areas is set at 75 people indoors and 150 outdoors, while the settings for 3 square meters indoors and 2 square meters apply. measures outdoors.

-The maximum number of persons per table reservation in a dining area may not exceed six persons.

-The church in churches and religious ceremonies is performed according to the guidelines of the Holy Archdiocese of Cyprus.

-Matches may be held in sports facilities in the context of sports leagues without the presence of spectators, as long as the relevant protocols are complied with.

-Closed and open cinemas, theatres and theatres with a occupancy of 50% of the capacity are allowed.

-No cocktail party and congratulations at weddings and christenings and only the physical presence at a meal or dinner with a maximum attendance of 350 people is allowed.

-Retail, beverage and food businesses as well as pharmacies until 9:00 in the morning serve people over 60 and people with disabilities.

Source: CYPE

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