Cyprus: Reopening of beaches amid easing of COVID-19 restrictions May 23 /update 11

Event

On Saturday, May 23, Cypriot authorities announced the reopening of beaches amid the easing of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) restrictions in the country. The relaxation coincided with the first day in which no new cases were reported in the country. Social distancing measures, however, remain in place. Additionally, only members of the same family are permitted to jointly partake in water sports; rules and directives have been issued regarding the placement of sunbeds and parasols.

On Wednesday, May 20, the Cypriot government announced that the country will begin to resume international air travel and tourism from Tuesday, June 9, following a decline in cases of COVID-19. Air travel will first resume from Greece, Malta, Bulgaria, Norway, Austria, Finland, Slovenia, Hungary, Israel, Denmark, Germany, Slovakia, and Lithuania during the first phase and Switzerland, Poland, Romania, Croatia, Estonia, and the Czech Republic in the second phase. Hotels are scheduled to reopen to domestic tourism from Monday, June 1.

As of Sunday, May 24, health authorities have confirmed 927 COVID-19 cases and 17 associated deaths in the country. Further spread of the virus is expected in the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic.

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and trouble breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.