EU veterinary team lands in Cyprus as nationwide foot-and-mouth restrictions escalate
Cyprus imposes island-wide livestock quarantine, halting animal transports and on-farm slaughter
Additional Larnaca farms infected as foot-and-mouth crisis widens, movement ban confirmed
Latest News
Aradippou farmers install emergency disinfection tanks, warn 4,500 animals may be culled
Aradippou’s dairy farmers took matters into their own hands on 22 February, building wheel-bath checkpoints and restricting road access to keep FMD out of the district. The grassroots action highlights growing tensions with the state, poses new traffic hurdles for business travellers and foreshadows possible mass culling of 4,500 cattle and goats.
Customs seize duty-free cigarettes and 80 litres of fuel at Green Line crossings
Customs authorities announced multiple seizures of untaxed cigarettes and petrol at Green Line crossings, underscoring a tougher enforcement posture as Cyprus gears up for Schengen entry. Higher spot fines and potential vehicle confiscation mean cross-border commuters and business travellers must pay closer attention to duty-free limits.
Green Monday festival in Voroklini cancelled amid livestock-disease curbs
Voroklini cancelled its 24 February Green Monday festival on 22 February because the site lies inside the FMD control zone. The move dents late-Carnival tourist traffic and signals that wider public events could be curtailed until veterinary authorities declare the outbreak under control.
Cyprus Tourist Guides Demand Crack-Down on Illegal Tours and Creation of Tourist Police
On 21 February 2026, the Cyprus Tourist Guides Association called on authorities to clamp down on unlicensed tours and to set up a specialised Tourist Police unit. The union warns that rogue operators hurt the island’s image and create legal and safety risks for visitors. Stronger enforcement would bolster service quality just as Cyprus courts higher-spending business and conference travellers.
Fig Tree Bay Named One of Europe’s Top 20 Beaches for 2026, Boosting Cyprus’ Travel Appeal
On 21 February 2026, the ‘Travel Europe Awards’ placed Protaras’ Fig Tree Bay in its Top 20 European beaches list. The recognition is set to draw additional tourists and bolster Cyprus’ appeal for corporate offsites and digital-nomad stays, supporting the government’s strategy to diversify high-value inbound travel.
Flash Floods in Paralimni Disrupt Roads and Shelters, Highlighting Climate-Risk Planning for Travellers
Severe rainfall on 21 February 2026 flooded parts of Paralimni, forcing road closures and damaging a civil-defence shelter. While quickly contained, the incident disrupted ground transport for tourists and residents, underscoring the need for climate-resilient infrastructure and contingency planning for business-travel programmes.