Cyprus in the midst of the biggest outbreak since the beginning of the pandemic, with the Omicron mutation apparently taking over.
Every day a new negative record. Yesterday over three thousand cases were recorded. 7,168 positive cases of covid disease within the community in the space of three days. A bell-ringing number, and before the risk of the health system starting to be tested again, the Government has decided to take emergency measures, some of which come into effect from today.
In particular, measures relating to catering and entertainment, as well as sport, come into effect from today. In addition, as of today, visits to state and private hospitals and stolen structures are prohibited, and the protocol for managing COVID-19 cases and close contacts for health professionals is differentiated.
In detail all the measures decided:
(a) with effect from 4 January until 15 January 2022, passengers arriving in the Republic of Cyprus are required to have a PCR laboratory test performed 48 hours prior to their departure. It is recalled that on arrival all passengers, regardless of vaccination history, undergo a PCR laboratory test and the cost will be borne by the passenger.
(b) from 3 January 2022, teleworking for 40% of the staff of each company or organisation in the service sector. It is clarified that this percentage includes persons who due to illness or declared as close contact with a confirmed case are placed on self-limitation and work from home and persons who have used their rest leave. Clarification will be provided tomorrow on which essential services will be exempted.
(c) From 30 December 2021, entry to entertainment venues, music and dance halls, banquet halls, weddings and christenings will only be permitted with the additional presentation of a negative 24-hour Rapid test. As a reminder, only vaccinated persons are allowed to enter. Citizens who have received the booster/3rd dose of vaccine are excluded.
(d) From 30 December 2021, the establishment of a maximum limit of 300 persons for catering establishments, entertainment centres and music and dance halls in compliance with the health protocols and the maximum number of persons per square metre in force. Citizens must be seated while dancing is prohibited. It is clarified that the measure for weddings and baptisms will be implemented from 3 January 2022.
(e) from 30 December 2021, as the presence of fans in stadiums is set at 50% of the capacity of the stadiums, with the mandatory use of a protective face mask. If it is established after an inspection that the protective measures have not been complied with, the competent authorities may revoke the operating licence.
(f) from 30 December 2021, the prohibition of all visits to public and private hospitals and thieves' institutions, unless authorised by the management after a negative 24-hour PCR laboratory test has been provided in urgent and exceptional cases only. For outpatient and companion outpatient visits, a negative 24-hour Rapid test is required. Excludes persons who have received a booster/3rd dose of vaccine.
(g) by 30 December 2021, the change in COVID-19 case management and close contact protocols for healthcare professionals who have not received any dose of vaccine, or have received both doses for bivalent vaccines or one dose for monovalent vaccine and the 7-month period has elapsed and have not received the booster/3rd dose. Close contacts of a confirmed case will undergo PCR on day 5 and Rapid test on day 6 with a negative result after contact with a case to be released from restriction. Positive cases of coronavirus are entitled to undergo a Rapid test on day 6 and day 7 and if the result is negative to be released on day 8, provided they have no symptoms for a period of 48 hours (The decision applies to doctors, nurses and medical staff).
In addition the following are recommended:
- As citizens use a double surgical mask or a high protection mask. (e.g. type KN95 or type FFP2).
- Avoid the use of fabric face masks.
Recall that the use of face masks in all areas, both indoor and outdoor, is mandatory.
- Distance learning and online examinations in higher education.
- Distance learning and online examinations in higher education.
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