Cyprus, a nation heavily relying on tourism, opens its borders to fully vaccinated British visitors since May 1st, France24 reports.
The covid pandemic has devastated Cyprus’ vital tourism sector, with arrivals slumping to 631,609 in 2020 from nearly four million in 2019. However, mass vaccination is able to change the picture, at least for UK tourists.
Mediterranean island will open its doors from May 1st to British travellers who have been vaccinated against covid-19, a government announced on Friday.
“We informed the British government that as of May 1, we would facilitate the arrival of British citizens immunised with EU-licenced vaccines to enter Cyprus with no negative Covid-19 test and no quarantine,” Tourism Minister Savvas Perdios said.
The encouraging news comes after Cyprus and Israel signed an agreement last month allowing vaccinated citizens of the two nations to travel each way without limitations, once passenger flights resume.
Commenting on the recent deal, Perdios stressed this very important development for tourism with Israel. Meantime, the United Kingdom remains Cuprus’ largest market for tourists, making up a third of its arrivals in 2019, while Israel is its third-biggest source.
Cyprus welcomes UK tourists since May 1st
Under the Cypriot government’s plan, Britons who have received the 2nd dose of a covid jab at least seven days before travelling would be allowed entry. However, they are could still be subject to random testing at airports.
The UK travellers would also still have to comply with health protocols such as mandatory mask-wearing and keeping social distance.
