Cyprus Mail 2 April 2020 - by Evie Andreou
Larnaca Airport
The government on Thursday announced that it would extend the ban on commercial flights for another two weeks.
Transport Minister Yiannis Karousos said in a tweet that the extension would be in effect as of midnight on April 4 and for 14 days.
According to the minister, the decision was taken after assessing the situation in Cyprus and taking into consideration the “dramatic situation in other states in Europe and internationally.”
The ban excludes cargo flights.
The initial ban was introduced on March 21, again for a 14-day period and expires on Friday.
The announcement comes as 58 new cases, the highest so far in a day, were confirmed on Wednesday with the total reaching 320 while another person died. The death toll is so far at nine, while 15 patients are in critical condition.
Foreign Minister Nicos Christodoulides said on Wednesday efforts are being made to start repatriating vulnerable groups of people from Monday.
The foreign ministry is still waiting to be advised by the medical council set up to review applications from students with medical problems, who, along with others who are currently abroad for medical reasons, will be given priority to return to Cyprus.
