Business travellers driving into central Nicosia this Wednesday (18 February) will need to factor in extensive traffic restrictions as police cordon off streets around the Cyprus Theatre Organisation (THOK) for the formal launch of Cyprus’ six-month EU Council Presidency.
Police published the traffic plan on 15 February. From 14:30 the arteries surrounding Dimostheni Severi, Grigori Afxentiou and Lord Byron Streets—as well as Omirou, Evagoras and Diagoras—will become strictly no-go zones for private vehicles. Two underground car parks at the old GSP stadium will also close for the day. Access to hotels such as The Landmark and the Hilton Nicosia will be via a signed diversion along the inner bypass.
In a first for a Cypriot state event, the Transport Ministry has issued a temporary flight-restriction order (K.D.P. 03/2026) prohibiting all non-authorised drones in a 2-km radius around THOK and the adjacent Conference Centre. Violators face fines of up to €5,000 and confiscation of equipment—an important point for media crews and marketing teams planning aerial footage.
![Road closures and drone ban announced for EU Council Presidency launch in Nicosia]()
Business visitors who suddenly need to adjust travel dates or secure additional documentation because of the closures can turn to VisaHQ’s Cyprus page (https://www.visahq.com/cyprus/) for expedited visa processing, passport renewals, and work-permit support, all managed through a single online dashboard—helpful when tight schedules are upended by last-minute security measures.
Delegations from the other 26 EU member states are expected to arrive via Larnaca and Paphos airports on charter flights Tuesday evening. Protocol officials say convoys will use the A1 motorway and the Limassol bypass to minimise disruption, but peak-hour commuters should still anticipate rolling closures.
Companies scheduling client meetings or relocation-briefing sessions in the capital are advised to switch to virtual formats or relocate to suburban venues until after 20:00. Taxi and ride-hailing availability is also likely to tighten as streets close, so advance bookings are essential.
Police published the traffic plan on 15 February. From 14:30 the arteries surrounding Dimostheni Severi, Grigori Afxentiou and Lord Byron Streets—as well as Omirou, Evagoras and Diagoras—will become strictly no-go zones for private vehicles. Two underground car parks at the old GSP stadium will also close for the day. Access to hotels such as The Landmark and the Hilton Nicosia will be via a signed diversion along the inner bypass.
In a first for a Cypriot state event, the Transport Ministry has issued a temporary flight-restriction order (K.D.P. 03/2026) prohibiting all non-authorised drones in a 2-km radius around THOK and the adjacent Conference Centre. Violators face fines of up to €5,000 and confiscation of equipment—an important point for media crews and marketing teams planning aerial footage.
Business visitors who suddenly need to adjust travel dates or secure additional documentation because of the closures can turn to VisaHQ’s Cyprus page (https://www.visahq.com/cyprus/) for expedited visa processing, passport renewals, and work-permit support, all managed through a single online dashboard—helpful when tight schedules are upended by last-minute security measures.
Delegations from the other 26 EU member states are expected to arrive via Larnaca and Paphos airports on charter flights Tuesday evening. Protocol officials say convoys will use the A1 motorway and the Limassol bypass to minimise disruption, but peak-hour commuters should still anticipate rolling closures.
Companies scheduling client meetings or relocation-briefing sessions in the capital are advised to switch to virtual formats or relocate to suburban venues until after 20:00. Taxi and ride-hailing availability is also likely to tighten as streets close, so advance bookings are essential.
