Cyprus will cover vacation costs for tourists who test positive for coronavirus

Cyprus will cover vacation costs for tourists who contract the coronavirus, the government said this week as officials prepare for the island country to reopen for travelers.

Cyprus is allowing hospitality establishments to open on June 1 and international air travel to resume June 9.

The Cypriot government is “committed to taking care of all travelers who test positive” for the coronavirus during their stay, as well as their families and close contacts, the ministries of foreign affairs, transport and tourism said in a letter made public Wednesday.

The government will cover costs of lodging, food, drinks and medication for tourists who contract the virus. The traveler will only need to bear the cost of air travel to and from Cyprus, according to the letter.

Cyprus will have a COVID-19 hospital with 100 beds exclusively for travelers who test positive, and the beds can be increased “at very short notice if required.” The government said it will also have 500 rooms in dedicated quarantine hotels available for close contacts of travelers who test positive.

Additionally, as Cyprus reopens for travel the government is putting additional protocols in place, including requiring all travelers before June 20 to be tested 72 hours before traveling to Cyprus. The testing requirement will be lifted for some 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 officials wrote in the letter.

Cyprus has reported 941 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 17 deaths, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.