Cyprus resumes commercial flights after ending 11-week ban

An Israeli airliner with 22 passengers aboard became the first commercial flight to touch down in Cyprus after the east Mediterranean country reopened its airports following an 11-week ban aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19. Israel is among a group of 19 countries with low coronavirus infection rates from which Cyprus is now permitting commercial flights. Arriving passengers must secure health certificates declaring them coronavirus-free three days before departure. The requirement is set to expire June 20 for people coming from 13 of those countries, including Greece, Finland, Norway and Germany. Tourism-dependent Cyprus is keen to resume commercial flights in hopes of salvaging the summer tourist season.<br/>