Eurotopics.net

After massive criticism from the European Commission among others, Cyprus has announced the end of a controversial scheme in which it granted citizenship in exchange for investment. The TV news channel Al Jazeera had revealed that high-ranking Cypriot officials and politicians were actively helping dubious characters to secure "golden passports". Certain elements of the Cypriot press lament the decision.

According to official figures, the coronavirus infection rate has dropped to extremely low levels in China. During the Golden Week holiday, millions of Chinese travelled within the country for National Day and Moon Festival celebrations. Mobility and consumption are rising there once more. The press points to the strong contrast with the second wave in Europe.

Due to the sharp rise in coronavirus infection rates, many European countries have reimposed tough restrictions: from closing bars and cultural institutions to making masks compulsory outdoors. Commentators ask who bears the responsibility for implementing successful measures and what mistakes need to be avoided.

An independent commission has examined the crisis management in the Austrian ski resort of Ischgl after a coronavirus outbreak in March that apparently led to thousands of infections across Europe. The report concludes that the authorities were too slow to suspend the cable car service and that the quarantine announcement triggered panic. Commentators point to other major mistakes.