Cyprus insists country will welcome Brits on holiday this summer – as early as June
BRITISH holidaymakers will be "welcomed with open arms" in Cyprus when travel restrictions are lifted this summer.
The country's deputy tourism minister made the appeal directly to the UK, as authorities prepare to welcome tourists as early as June.
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He said: “At first the policies shocked our source markets but we thought the earlier we took this strong-handed approach, the earlier we could draft an exit strategy.
“The results have been very positive. And now as part of that exit strategy we are readying for full opening of the island as a tourist destination in mid-June. That is the vision.”
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But the minister also acknowledged that the situation would likely change “day by day” and ultimately would depend on scientific and epidemiological data – at home and abroad.
He said: “Any decisions will be taken at the last minute based on how each country is doing when it comes to handling of the virus. Things can change day by day, week by week."
Officials were working on the premise that travel from the UK will resume in July but he cautioned: “It all depends on what is going to be happening at that particular moment.”
The European Union’s most easterly state, Cyprus is spearheading efforts in Brussels to fast track ways of facilitating travel through commonly agreed protocols including possible immunity certificates.
Perdios insisted it was vital for Europe’s travel industry to be guided by “common rules” to avoid the confusion of countries acting independently and forging bilateral agreements with each other.