Yiannis Karousos

The large investments and development projects in Cyprus mentioned by Minister of Transport and Works Yiannis Karousos in his ministry's recent project presentation may have kept the construction and real estate sector afloat until 2022, but the industry still faces challenges. 

The promotion in Cyprus of electric vehicle charging infrastructure will create the green and sustainable cities and communities of tomorrow, the island's Minister of Transport, Communications and Works Yiannis Karousos said in a speech during the presentation of public e-point charging stations in the municipality of Nicosia, at the opening of a station at the junction of Stasandrou and Ayias

The Cyprus government will be reissuing a call for the expression of interest by bidders who have acquired the necessary equipment needed for rapid Covid-19 tests, so that incoming tourists won't need to spend a night in quarantine until labs check their sample for the virus.

Cyprus reopened its airports on Tuesday after almost three months of lockdown, hoping its record in dealing with the coronavirus pandemic and a pledge of free medical treatment for any Covid-19 cases will lure tourists back to its beaches.

Cyprus expects to receive some 600,000 passengers in August, Transport Minister Yiannis Karousos said Thursday, noting that this estimation includes people flying in on commercial and private planes.

Cyprus on Friday outlined plans for the phased resumption next month of commercial flights from a select number of countries with low Covid-19 infection rates to jump-start its vital tourism sector.

Transport Minister Yiannis Karousos said flights will begin in two phases — June 9 and 20 — from two groups of countries selected by an advisory body of medical experts.

Turkish aviation authorities prevented a chartered airplane carrying medical supplies from reaching Cyprus, Cypriot media reported on Wednesday.

Cyprus extended a ban on commercial air traffic until May 17 on Friday to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
The ban, first introduced on March 21 and extended by decrees since then, would now extend from April 30 to May 17, Transport Minister Yiannis Karousos said in a tweet, citing a decision by the island's cabinet.

Cyprus extended a ban on commercial air links with 28 countries for another two weeks on Thursday to curb the spread of coronavirus.

Hundreds of citizens have asked to be repatriated to the Republic of Cyprus, prompting the government to seek options to beat a universal ban on all flights that goes into effect on Saturday.