Note: Last update of this article occurred on December 15th.
MEASURES TO CONTAIN THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC With effect from 11/12/2020 (6.00 am) until 31/12/2020 (5.00 am)
1. The movement of people is prohibited from 9.00 p.m. until 05.00a.m. with the following exceptions:
- Movement to/from work, as well as for work reasons by presenting the employee movement confirmation form,
- Movement to/from medical centre, hospital, pharmacy or vet for emergency medical reasons, and
- Movement of hunters to and within non-prohibited hunting areas, as defined in the Laws on Protection and Management of Wild Birds and Prey of 2003 to 2017, from 03.00 am. only on permitted hunting days (they must carry their hunting license with them for check purposes).
2. Gatherings in public places (parks, squares, water reservoirs, picnic areas, beaches, pavements and marinas, etc.) are permitted, provided that the number of persons shall not exceed two, excluding underage children.
3. Gatherings of persons in residences are allowed, with a maximum number of 10 persons, including underage children.
4. Church services and other forms of religious worship in religious sites shall be performed without the presence of congregants.
5. The holding of luncheons/dinners and any other events relating to weddings and christenings, is prohibited (other than a home event with a maximum number of 10 persons including minors).
6. Religious ceremonies (weddings, christenings, funerals) are permitted with a maximum of 10 persons attending.
7. As of Monday, 14/12/2020, public and private Lyceums and Higher and Tertiary Education Institutions will operate through online education. Kindergartens, Primary Schools and Gymnasiums continue to operate normally. It is understood that this concerns public and private schools/institutions.
8. Visits to hospitals, clinics, medical and diagnostic centres, are prohibited.
9. The operation of all catering establishments (restaurants, taverns, cafés, pubs, snack bars and bars, cafeterias and catering establishments within canteens and/or sports clubs, cultural clubs, associations, etc.) is suspended, with the exception of their delivery and take away services. (After 9.00 p.m. only home delivery is permitted).
It is noted that catering establishments within hotels and tourist accommodation facilities may operate until 9.00 p.m. serving only guests who are staying overnight in those premises (with a maximum number of persons depending on the space, 40 persons in indoor areas and 80 persons in outdoor areas). Moreover, catering establishments within the Larnaka and Pafos Airports are allowed to operate.
10. The operation of open-air and indoor theatres, amphitheatres, cinemas and performance halls, is suspended.
11. Popular markets shall function at 50% capacity and social distancing of 1.5 m. on the basis of the relevant protocol.
12. Mass gatherings and other events, demonstrations, parades, concerts, open-air bazaars, Christmas fairs, festivals in public or private venues, are still prohibited.
13. Public transport capacity shall be regulated by the Minister of Transport, Communications and Works per District.
14. The operation of indoor shopping centres (malls) is suspended.
15. Other retail trade outlets, including superstores, department stores and large stores of over 500 sq.m., are allowed to operate in compliance with the measure of 1 person per 10 sq.m.. Such stores are obliged to ensure that there is a check at the entrance so that the maximum number of customers is upheld.
Can I travel to Cyprus?
Countries are categorised according to their epidemiological situation into three categories described here below. All travellers need to fill in a Covid-19 traveller declaration. The form can be filled in online here, or at airport check-in counters. It is requested prior to boarding.
Category A: Low-risk countries at current stage
- 🇦🇺 Australia
- 🇯🇵 Japan
- 🇰🇷 South Korea
- 🇳🇿 New Zealand
- 🇸🇬 Singapore
Included in this category are countries with an effective reproduction (Rt) number lower than 1 or/and small number of new diagnoses (<1/100,000 inhabitants per day) or/and small or very small COVID-19 mortality (<5-10/100,000 inhabitants) or/and classification of sporadic cases or clusters of cases according to the WHO or/and at least satisfactory laboratory testing (>3000 tests/100,000 inhabitants).
It should be noted that passengers coming from Category A countries are not required to present a laboratory COVID-19 test certificate or go into self-isolation.
Category B: Countries with possibly low risk but greater uncertainty compared to Category A
- 🇨🇳 China (including Hong Kong)
- 🇩🇰 Denmark
- 🇪🇪 Estonia
- 🇫🇮 Finland
- 🇩🇪 Germany
- 🇬🇷 Greece
- 🇻🇦 Vatican City State
- 🇱🇻 Latvia
- 🇱🇹 Lithuania
- 🇳🇴 Norway
- 🇷🇼 Rwanda
- 🇸🇲 San Marino
- 🇷🇸 Serbia
- 🇸🇪 Sweden
- 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
- 🇺🇾 Uruguay
Included in this category are countries with an effective reproduction (Rt) number greater than 1 or/and number of new diagnoses <1/100,000 inhabitants per day or/and increased COVID-19 mortality (>10/100,000 inhabitants) or/and limited laboratory testing (<2000 tests/100,000 inhabitants) or lack of WHO classification.
It should be noted that passengers coming from Category B countries are required to undergo a laboratory test no earlier than 72 hours prior to departure and to possess a Certificate showing negative PCR examination for the virus.
It is also clarified that passengers from Category B countries, falling into the following categories, may undergo the molecular examination upon arrival in the Republic:
- Cypriot citizens and their family members (their alien spouses, underage children and parents),
- all those legally residing in the Republic,
- persons entitled to under the Vienna Convention,
- persons, irrespective of nationality, whose countries of residence do not provide a laboratory testing service (public or private) to those wishing to travel to the Republic of Cyprus according to a relevant announcement.
It should be noted that the examination cost will be borne by those persons themselves and in addition, such persons should remain in self-isolation at home until the examination result is issued.
Category C: High-risk countries compared to categories A and B
All countries not included in categories A or B are placed in this category. Some of the countries which are of high risk according to their epidemiological picture, are mentioned above.
In accordance with the Infectious Diseases Decree (No.30) of 2020, entry into the Republic from Category C countries shall be allowed only for specific categories of citizens who have the possibility to choose whether to undergo a diagnostic test for COVID19 upon their arrival in Cyprus or have with them a negative RT-PCR test certificate for COVID-19, undertaken no earlier than 72 hours prior to departure. It must be noted that such persons shall have to remain in a state of self-isolation for 14 days.
It is also noted that in accordance with the Decree by the Minister of Health N. 37, dated 12 August 2020, citizens arriving from category C countries are obliged to undergo a molecular examination for COVID-19, 48 hours prior to the termination of their 14-day self-isolation, at their own expense. The test results should be sent to the following email address: monada@mphs.moh.gov.cy . It is understood that the self-isolation will come to an end on the 14th day provided that the outcome of the repeat test comes out negative.
