(TAN): Cyprus will cover the vacation costs for anyone testing positive for COVID-19 while on holidaying in the country, reports said.
The government reportedly said it will pay for visitors’ accommodation, food, drink and medicines if they contract the virus after entering the Eastern Mediterranean country. While the government will also bear the expenses for the patient’s families, they will not pay for the taxi to the airport and flight back home, as per reports.
“The Cyprus government is committed to taking care of all travelers who test positive during their stay, as well as their families and close contacts. The government will cover the cost of lodging, food, drink, and medication, in all cases mentioned above; the traveller will only need to bear the cost of their airport transfer and repatriation flight,” NPR quoted the government as saying.
The move is aimed at luring tourists back to the country, reports said. Nearly 4 million travellers visited Cyprus last year, boosting revenue worth USD 3 billion, as per reports.
According to reports, Cyprus will have a hospital with 100 beds meant exclusively for overseas tourists infected with the coronavirus during their vacation in the country. Additional beds will also be provided at short notice while about 112 intensive care units fitted with 200 respirators will be set aside for critically ill patients, reports said. The government will reportedly make 500 rooms available to close contacts of the tourists who test positive in certain quarantine hotels.
“This will not only ensure that they are properly taken care of, but it will also provide peace of mind to other travellers, that their accommodation is free of Covid-19,” the Cyprus government was quoted by CNBC as saying.
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Cyprus, which started easing its lockdown measures earlier this month, is expected to allow its hospitality businesses to resume on June 1 and international air travel on June 9, as per reports. The government will reportedly require all travellers arriving in Cyprus before June 20 to be tested 72 hours before entering the country. The requirement will reportedly be lifted for certain countries after June 20.
“Ultimately, we want visitors to feel safe during their trip, but also to enjoy their stay and experience normalcy when visiting our beautiful beaches, points of interest and infrastructure,” the government was quoted by The Hill as saying.
Cyprus has confirmed 941 cases including 17 deaths from the virus, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.
