13 March – In a special televised appearance,
PresidentNikos Anastasiadis announced that all of the country's border would be closed for 15 days to everyone except
Cypriots,
Europeans working on the island, and people with special permits. Authorities also extended a school shutdown until April 10 in a precautionary move
against COVID-19.[3]
21 March – The country reports its
first COVID-19 death, that of an individual with underlying health issues.[4]
27 March – The
government announces that 50 prisoners will be released in early April. The prisoners were held in
Nicosia central prison, which had been operating beyond capacity for years. The release is expected to alleviate the overcrowded prison and slow
the spread of the virus.[6]
May
21 May – The lockdown ended and
repatriation flights continued, although those coming
back to the country no longer have to be quarantined for two weeks. The
government also announced that airports will reopen fully on June 9, though flights from
countries heavily affected by the virus will not be permitted until further notice.[7]
24 August – The
Cyprus Papers, consisting of more than 1,400 confidential approved applications relating to the government
Cyprus Investment Programme, were published by
Al Jazeera, which says they have been sold to criminals and fugitives from 70 countries who, by purchasing a
Cypriot passport, become
European Union citizens. The government claims that it has clamped down on the loopholes and that each accepted application was in conformity with the standards at the time. The country said it will revoke citizenship for individuals found guilty of serious crimes.[9][10][11]