In today’s episode, traffic congestion on roads can initially be alleviated through the promotion of mass transit – more bus lanes – and eventually with the construction of a tram system in Nicosia and Limassol, MPs heard on Thursday.

In other news, President Nicos Anastasiades’ meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov was cancelled. The meeting had been planned in advance and was also due to address reports that direct flights from Russia were to begin to Ercan airport in the north.

Elsewhere, an increase in the positivity rate of coronavirus infections among students was registered after the start of the new school year, according to epidemiologist and member of the health ministry monitoring unit Valentinos Silvestros.

All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.