Southern Cyprus has announced they will pay for the treatment of tourists who infected by COVID-19 after they arrive on the island to stimulate the country’s tourism.

“Tourists will only need to bear the cost of their airport transfer and repatriation flight,” the government said yesterday, adding that the costs of accommodation, medicines and meals for people and their families, who became ill after arriving on the island, would be covered by the state. A 100-bed hospital for tourists who test positive and hotels where their families will stay have been determined.

Deputy Tourism Minister Savvas Perdios said: “The hit is massive, and we are trying to do our best now and do what we can for the remainder of the season. We have worked extremely hard to keep the virus in check here,” he said. Tourism revenues in Southern Cyprus, which welcomes about 4 million tourists a year, account for 15 per cent of GDP.

According to Johns Hopkins University data, the country has confirmed 939 infections and 17 deaths.