Another seven patients have tested positive for coronavirus, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the Republic of Cyprus to 33. There are another six confirmed cases in the Turkish-held north.

In an announcement, the Health Ministry said that it had been notified by the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics of seven new confirmed cases.

Five had returned from the UK, were in house isolation and contacted the authorities when they exhibited symptoms

The other two were in house isolation and had had close contact with a confirmed case which had been detected a few days ago.

The epidemiological monitoring unit has started tracing the contacts of the seven new cases and will carry out tests, the ministry added.

On Sunday, the government announced tough new measures including a suspension in operations of private businesses, including retail stores, nightclubs, hotels, malls and tougher entry rules requiring that persons will only be allowed into the country if they had certificates to show they had tested negative for coronavirus at their country of origin. They would also be subject to compulsory quarantine.