Cyprus Agriculture Minister, Costas Kadis, has tested positive for COVID-19 and is self-isolating. Kadis said in a post on Twitter on Wednesday evening that “I was diagnosed tonight positive for COVID-19, through the contact tracing process. I remain isolated and I work from home. I hope that we will soon get over this pandemic.”

Meanwhile a meeting of the Council of Ministers that was going to take place on Thursday morning has been cancelled and all members of the Council will be tested for COVID-19. Interior Minister, Nicos Nouris, and Transport Minister, Yiannis Karousos, who have been Kadis’ close contacts are also self-isolating, as both of them announced in posts on their Twitter accounts.

Three members of the Presidential Palace staff tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday. Government Spokesman, Kyriakos Koushos, told CNA that protocols issued by the Health Ministry have been implemented and all employees at the Presidential Palace have been tested.

He noted that the contact tracing process has already begun but they have no results yet. Moreover he noted that many members of the staff have self-isolated.

Asked if he is also self-isolating, Koushos replied in the negative, noting that the result of his COVID-19 test was negative. He added that he will be tested again today. He also noted that the President’s test was negative as well.

Koushos also said that if Kadis is the only Minister positive for COVID-19 then the Council of Ministers meetings will take place normally, adding that the results of the tests that will be carried out in the morning are expected late in the afternoon.

As he noted if other Ministers are positive for the virus as well, then they will surely have to hold their meetings via teleconferences.