NICOSIA, March 18 (Xinhua) -- The Council of Ministers of Cyprus decided a blanket ban on incoming flights from all countries as of this Saturday (March 21) in an attempt to fight the coronavirus disease, a cabinet minister said on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, new COVID-19 cases are being announced in increasing numbers.
"As of 3 a.m. on March 21, a complete ban on flights to the airports of Larnaca and Paphos will come into force. Only incoming flights without passengers will be allowed for the purpose of taking foreign nationals out of Cyprus," Minister of Transport, Communications and Works Yiannis Karousos said after a cabinet meeting.
Winter season flights in and out of Cyprus have dropped from about 100 a day to about 15, with most planes arriving without passengers.
According to the Cyprus News Agency, Karousos said that about 600 Cypriots stranded in London and Greece have applied to the Foreign Ministry to be repatriated.
He also said that consultations are underway with airline companies flying empty to Cyprus to take as passengers Cypriots wishing to return to the island.
Cypriot media reported that many people, mostly in London, have sent appeals to be assisted to return home as they are running out of means to stay in London.
Karousos said that if stranded Cypriots cannot make it back home by the time the complete ban on flights as of Saturday morning enters into force, authorities may examine the possibility of using chartered flights.
The Health Ministry announced on Wednesday that nine more people have tested positive for COVID-19, raising the total of confirmed cases in the part of Cyprus under the jurisdiction of the internationally recognized government to 58.
With 20 confirmed cases announced so far by the authorities in the part of Cyprus controlled by Turkish troops and two on the British bases, the total for the island has risen to 80. Enditem
