Cyprus Beat

In today's episode, Cyprus continues to reel under the pressure of increasing migrant arrivals, as the interior ministry said yesterday the figures are 70 per cent higher than the previous year.

In today's episode, stricter measures at airports and the crossing points with the north are likely, Health Minister Michalis Hadjipantelas said yesterday. EU health commissioner Stella Kyriakides said stopping flights from southern Africa was a necessary step in trying to deal with the new Omicron variant. In other news, investigations are continuing into the disappearance of two women from Russia, who were reported as missing since November 17 from their residence in Larnaca. All these stories and more on your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

In today’s news, the health ministry has announced that non-urgent operations are to be postponed as the state healthcare services organisation OKYPY is preparing for a possible increase in hospitalisations following the emergence of the new Coronavirus variant. Elsewehere, the association of recreation centres Osika has called on the state to support the businesses that have remained open and reassess the new Covid measures announced last week. Meanwhile, the education ministry announced that schools will operate normally this week, following reports about the decision of parents to keep their children from school for one period on Monday to protest the new Covid measures.

All these stories and more on your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

In today’s episode, Covid-19 once again dominates the news cycle as it was announced that children from the age of five will be eligible for the vaccine. There’s also the fallout following the announcement of new restrictions, as parents plan to protest. On a positive note, there’s the latest on Cyprus’ push for electric car use.

In today's episode, the government has announced new measures to fight the Covid surge, including mask mandates for children aged six and above and a SafePass for those between six and 11.

In today's episode, Health Minister Michalis Hadjipantelas has said the aim of the new Covid-19 measures to be announced on Wednesday is to save the Christmas holidays.

In today’s episode, the European Commission will be drafting proposals to harmonise the duration of the validity of the Covid-19 vaccination certificate, while Health Minister Michalis Hadjipantelas has discussed new measures with his scientific advisory team as infections continue to spiral. In other Covid-related news, the first antiviral pill for the virus is expected to be made available in Cyprus mid-December.  In other news, the European Commission’s VAT committee has approved the government’s proposal to cut VAT on household electricity bills. All these stories and more on your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

In today's news, a subsidy scheme for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles is set for approval next month, however there are some concerns with certain aspects of its feasibility. In other news, an apparent tweak to the UK’s Covid travel rules could dampen plans for those Cypriot residents hoping to visit the UK for Christmas, and Cyprus' health minister is meeting the virus scientific advisory committee today to discuss new restrictive measures in the wake of the spiralling number of positive cases. All these stories and more on your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

In today's episode, we hear that further cuts to electricity bills are on the way to help households tackle the rise in prices. There are also positive developments on the offshore natural gas projects. Another arrest has been made in the bizarre alleged plot to murder the chairman of the Limassol school commission Dinos Ellinas. And from Monday, vaccinated people crossing to and from the north must present a seven-day negative Covid-19 test.

In today's episode, the remains of a woman initially reported to have been removed from her grave have been finally located inside it.