Concerns and concerns were caused in the tourist world by the tightening of the measures at the airports due to the "Omicron" mutation and the obligation from next Monday of those who arrive on the island - foreigners and Cypriots, vaccinated and not - for PCR control at their own expense.
It is noted that, for the time being at least, the charge for the PCR test at Larnaca airport is 15 euros and at Paphos airport at 19 euros.
In his statements to "F", the president of PASYXE, Haris Loizidis, estimated that the measure will not cause much damage, due to the period that is applied, further supporting that nor is the cost of 15 euros prohibitive, in relation to the charges of the same tests in other countries. He acknowledged, however, that the measure was another obstacle to tourism and travel, and stressed the need for reassurances that it would end on January 10, as decided. Otherwise, he said, the positive prospects that exist for 2022, which are already conditional on the evolution of the pandemic, may be refuted.
Need for information
In her own statements in our newspaper, the g.d. of STEK, Chrysaimili Psilogeni, stressed the need to inform all travel organizers and their representatives in Cyprus about the decision, which, as he mentioned, contains positive elements. The positive image, he said, is how Both tourists and Cypriots who arrive will feel safer, knowing that all visitors to the airport will be checked. The g.d. of STEK also estimated that the fact that the measure is temporary and taken at this time when there is no significant flow of arrivals is not expected to provoke serious reactions. She also mentioned that maybe It is a good idea for the state and the Ministry of Tourism to study the possibility of subsidizing this charge for tourists.
For his part, the CEO of Top Kinisis and former president of ACTA Dinos Kakkouras, described yesterday's decision of the Council of Ministers as a negative development, since, as he told "F", he adds another problem to the many that exist due to the pandemic in tourism and in travel in general. Among other things, he said, the measure increases the cost for travelers, while together with the recent mutation it generally affects the psychology of the public.
It will also catch students
Based on what was announced yesterday, the mandatory PCR examination will affect all persons aged 12 and over upon arrival in the Republic of Cyprus, by air or by sea, and regardless of the country of departure. Therefore, the measure will be applied to Cypriot students abroad, who are expected to arrive in the coming days for the Christmas holidays, but also for those residents of the island who will travel due to the holidays abroad.
According to an announcement, the measure was taken after proposal of the Minister of Transport Giannis Karousos, in the context of the actions taken by the Government to reduce the outbreak of the pandemic and to protect the Health System from increased hospitalization of patients COVID-19. As mentioned in the announcement, Mr. Karousos, presenting the proposal, characteristically pointed it out The need for temporary measures at the legal gates of the Republic, given the detection of the new strain of "Omicron" virus, which has been recorded in African countries, but also in European countries.
This measure applies to all passengers aged 12 and over, regardless of whether they hold a certificate of complete vaccination or recovery from the disease COVID-19 and the cost of PCR diagnostics is borne by the passenger himself.
The announcement clarifies that Passengers entering the Republic from ports for a short visit must hold a PCR negative test, valid for up to 72 hours. In addition, upon arrival, they will be required to undergo a rapid antigen detection test, at the expense of the Republic of Cyprus. The decision taken yesterday will take effect from Monday, December 6, 2021 and will last until January 10, 2022, when it will be re-evaluated, based on the epidemiological data, as they will be formed. However, for the purposes of better surveillance and early detection of imported cases, the Ministry of Transport said yesterday that PCR testing has already begun and will continue until December 6 through random checks on passengers, regardless of the country of origin entering the Republic of Cyprus. via Larnaca and Paphos Airports. It is noted that in the sample checks the cost of the tests is borne by the Republic.
philenews.com