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Johan Lancas, Director of the Nordic-Baltic Department of the Cyprus Ministry of Tourism, spoke about what led the country, which has so far lived by its own safety rules, to implement the ECDC recommendations and what they are exchanging with them for Lithuanian. Travellers.
Cyprus is in a hurry to revive tourism
For Cyprus, tourism is one of the most important sectors. For example, in pre-fiscal 2019, tourism revenue accounted for 23 percent. Annual GDP of the country.
But if in 2019 about 4 million flew to Cyprus. tourists (3,976,777), which was just over 600,000 last year. (631 609).
“In Cyprus, as in the rest of the world, the tourism sector is among the most affected. So, after a year of uncertainty, we must look forward and do everything possible to ensure that international flights to the island are they resume in larger samples and that this happens in the very near future, ”said J. Lancas.
He noted that as the country opens up more to tourists, the top priority is safety, both for island guests and locals.
As of now, Cyprus’s security requirements, in line with ECDC recommendations, are expected to make trips to the island clearer and more attractive.
“It is very important to follow the decisions of the EU, especially when it comes to other member states,” said Lancas. Cyprus, like Lithuania, joined the EU area on May 1, 2004.
123RF.com nuotr./Kipras
What is changing for those flying to Cyprus?
Until now, Lithuania, like almost all of Europe, is marked in red in the list of affected countries according to the traffic light principle. Upon arrival in Cyprus from Lithuania, mandatory self-isolation will no longer be necessary.
However, to be as safe as possible on the island, additional tests are introduced, that is, before boarding the plane, the traveler must have a negative Covid-19 test, which took 72 hours. Before arriving in Cyprus, but after landing at Larnaca or Paphos airports, travelers from red countries will need to re-examine Covid-19, said Inga Aukštuolytė, Head of Public Relations and Marketing at Tez Tour, an international tour operator. . – The test will take place at the airport and will cost about 30 euros.
We noticed that travelers buy tickets to Cyprus already in April, during school holidays, so what is relevant for those who travel with their family: children under 12 will not have to take an exam at the airport ”.
After researching at the airport, travelers will be able to go to the hotels of their choice without waiting for anything. It is promised that the test result will be known in an average of 3 hours, the information will reach the traveler through a short SMS message. However, it is observed that the maximum response time to the test can be up to 24 hours.
It is true that until the information about the test result reaches the traveler, be attentive: in order to observe the mandatory capture distance between people belonging to different groups of travelers, it is necessary to wear masks inside the premises. In Cyprus, the mandatory distance between people indoors is 3 square meters. m., in the open air – 2 square meters. meter.
123rf.com nuotr./Fig Tree Bay, Kipras
I. Aukštuolytė warns that when the pandemic situation improves so much that it is possible to move Lithuania to another category of yellow countries, additional tests at the airport will no longer be necessary.
On the way to Cyprus in 24 hours. An electronic Cyprus Flight Pass form must be completed prior to the flight. Important! The Covid-19 test, which was completed in Lithuania, must be submitted to Cyprus before the trip, online, by completing Cyprus flight pass form. “Therefore, the answer to the test should already be in your hands when it is completed. Cyprus flight pass questionnaire ”, pointed out I. Aukštuolytė.
Starting this week, the Covid-19 test must be performed upon returning to Lithuania. “Our representatives in Cyprus and all other tourist countries will take care to provide travelers with all necessary information about test points, their location and opening hours, if necessary, to help travelers register or offer transportation” said a spokeswoman for Tez Tour. .
Safety rules are strict
“We note that travelers from foreign countries feel extremely safe on our island. Cyprus has already introduced particularly strict requirements in all public sectors related to tourism since the first wave of Covid-19: airports, buses, taxis, restaurants, hotels and other places.
The Cypriots themselves are extremely disciplined in complying with all security requirements. As in Lithuania, the pandemic situation in Cyprus is improving. However, you should not relax completely, because the disease has not yet receded, “said a representative of the Cyprus Ministry of Tourism.
123rf.com/Beach in Cyprus
Cyprus is one of the countries that has assumed medical and other necessary expenses (accommodation, meals, etc.) if a person is diagnosed with the virus during their visit to the island. The flight is not refunded, travelers must coordinate their arrival in Lithuania with their tour operator.
At present, masks are mandatory in Cyprus in all public places, both indoors (taxis, buses, elevators, theaters, shopping centers, safaris, etc.) and outdoors. Masks are not required in places where food or beverages are consumed (cafes, restaurants, etc.). It is also not necessary to wear masks on the beaches or in the pools to exercise.
Cyprus is one of the most popular hot summer destinations in Europe, so tourists taking a break from the year are expected to return to the island. It is planned to restore at least half of the previous flows of travelers, up to 2 million. tourists. In April, you can sunbathe and swim on the island, as the air temperature rises to 23-24 degrees Celsius. Not surprisingly, his summer comes to Cyprus at the earliest in Europe.
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