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Covid-19 infection is rampant in the tourist mecca of Cyprus - 'Is a disaster here'
Covid-19 infection is rampant in the tourist-mecca of Cyprus - 'Is a disaster here'The spread of the coronavirus in Cyprus is currently widespread and highest in the EU, according to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
Despite this, sun-kissed Swedes make the pilgrimage to the small Mediterranean island.
- It's a disaster here. Everyone has fallen ill, there are no safety measures, says a Swede on site in Ayia Napa.
Sun-safe Cyprus. A classic destination for holiday-hungry Swedes. Regardless of whether you have the view set on the hammock or a dance floor, many Swedes choose to spend their holiday in the small republic in the Mediterranean.
Now that restrictions on covid-19 have been eased, this summer is no exception. With measures such as vaccine passes and hefty fines if you do not wear a mouth guard, Swedish tourists would be able to visit the island again - without increasing the spread of infection.
Lost sense of smell and coughs up blood
Aftonbladet has been in contact with several Swedes who are on the island. All describe similar experiences: congestion, chaos and a contagious spread.
- It is a very chaotic situation. When you go to clubs, there are no restrictions at all. Both me and my girlfriend have become very ill. There is dizziness, sore throat, headache, lost sense of smell, pain in the sinuses. We have also coughed up blood, says a Swede who wishes to remain anonymous.
The infection is raging in Ayia Napa, Cyprus.
"Has everyone gotten sick, the whole hotel"
Swedish tourists who test positive for Covid-19 during their holiday on the island will be placed in a two-week mandatory quarantine at special facilities. However, the Swedes that Aftonbladet has been in contact with have not been placed at these facilities, despite the fact that they have been confirmed to be infected with the virus.
- We have all become ill, the whole hotel. They do not think about keeping their distance, there is no hand alcohol, they do not offer face masks and the clubs are full. This vaccine passport you have to show, no one checks it during the whole trip, says a Swedish Aftonbladet spoke to.
Travel company: "Very few reports of infected"
Travel company Tui is responsible for the event for one of the Swedes that Aftonbladet has been in contact with. The hotel where "everyone got sick" is one of the travel company's partners on the island. However, Tui does not recognize the chaotic image that their travelers described.
-Our opinion is that in our hotels you follow the restrictions very very carefully. If you as a traveler feel that the restrictions are not followed in our hotels, we would like to hear it, so we can try to change the situation, says Adam Györki, press spokesperson at Tui.
At the same time, Adam Györki admits that the travel company is well aware of the high spread of infection that is currently taking place on the small island.
- Cyprus is a destination where we have very few reports of people who have traveled with us and become infected, however, Cyprus is a destination with a high social spread, says Adam Györki.
The company's image thus seems to differ significantly from the image that their travelers reproduced from the site. One of the travelers explained why it felt so important to tell about his journey.
- People need to know about this, so they do not come back here. You can die, says the traveler.
