NICOSIA – Expecting an influx of Cypriot students abroad returning home for Easter, Cyprus’ government will bar entry to the country to those with medical clearance and put arrivals in mandatory quarantine for 14 days to help prevent spread of the COVID-19 Coronavirus.

With 33 cases in the country so far, the government also ordered the shutdown of private businesses, including retail stores, nightclubs, hotels and malls, said the news agency Reuters, after closing border crossing points to the northern third occupied by Turkish-Cypriots since an unlawful 1974 invasion.

British military bases on the island reported two people who had returned from Britain on March 13 had been confirmed with the virus, one male and one female, said to have mild symptoms but in self-isolation.

Thousands of Cypriot students currently abroad would be offered a 750 euro ($838.69) benefit to stay in the country of their study and not come back for now, Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades said, the report also added.