Cyprus records first Omicron cases

By Nathan Morley

According to the Ministry of Heath, three cases were isolated in Limassol, a city on the south-western coast. The three had recently travelled abroad, and were not hospitalized after being testing positive for the new variant.

In a bid to contain the spread of the virus, the Cypriot Health Ministry has already introduced a weekly coronavirus test for all school children. It also made the wearing of a mask mandatory in all school areas, and appealed to parents to consent to the vaccination of their children.

In addition, Cyprus has further tightened checks on all incoming passengers over the age of 12, requiring a mandatory PCR test on arrival.

Travelers arriving by air have to take the PCR test regardless of whether they have recovered from a COVID-19 infection, or are fully vaccinated.

Over in Greece, authorities have strengthened measures to curb the further spread of the virus. Parliament has already passed a bill foreseeing the obligatory vaccination of permanent residents aged over 60 next year.

Those who will not book appointments for inoculation by mid-January will face a monthly fine of 100 euros. Appointments for a first vaccination jumped sharply after the government's decree.