With the numbers of daily cases announced in Cyprus, breaking one negative record after another and amid fears that the high number of covid cases could translate into hospitalisations, Cyprus continues with new measures decided yesterday by the government.
Cyprus is moving forward in an attempt to put a stop to the "tsunami" of cases without a lockdown and with schools, businesses and services open, but with restrictions on the number of people assembled, an increased rate of telecommuting and other measures. Notable among the Cabinet's decisions is one that provides for showing identification along with a Safe Pass after incidents in which citizens showed other people's Safe Passes in order to enter restricted areas.
"The Cabinet's message is clear. We must trust science and support the collective work. There is no other way! Doctors and scientists alone cannot defeat the pandemic. They have done their duty by providing humanity with the necessary "weapons", but the pandemic can only be defeated by the people, by ordinary citizens following the instructions of the scientific and medical community. We will defeat the pandemic using the effective means at our disposal: By making use of life-saving vaccines and dutifully following protective measures to limit the spread of the virus. Only in this way will we take the big step to rid ourselves of the biggest scourge that has plagued the planet for the last two years," the Health Minister said in announcing the new package of measures yesterday.
- With 8 people per table... Changes in restaurants, entertainment centers, weddings-baptisms
- Travel to Cyprus and hotel accommodation under the new measures. Which countries are "quarantined"
Details of the new measures decided and the "key dates"
(a) the operation of all public and private primary and secondary schools as normal on 10 January 2022, as announced in a previous decision of the Council of Ministers. As a reminder, all students, teachers and other staff without exception will be required to produce a 48-hour negative Rapid test upon their return. It is recalled that pre-primary, kindergartens and crèches shall operate normally from 7 January 2022
(b) from 10 January 2022, primary school pupils in private and public schools will be required to produce a negative Rapid test twice a week
(c) from 6 January 2022, the reduction of the number of assemblies in homes to 10 persons, not including children up to 12 years of age
(d) from 10 January 2022, setting a maximum limit of 200 persons for restaurants, entertainment centres, music and dance centres, weddings and christenings, subject to health protocols and the maximum number of persons per square metre currently in force. Mandatory service exclusively at table seating. The maximum number of persons per table is set at 8 persons. Recall that dancing is prohibited in the above venues
(e) as of January 6, 2022, setting a maximum limit of 200 persons for churches and places of religious worship, subject to health protocols and the maximum number of persons per square meter in force. It is recalled that, as is the case for all indoor and outdoor areas, during the consecration of water on the day of Epiphany, citizens are required to wear a protective mask and keep the necessary distances. It is recommended that the use of fabric protective masks be avoided.
(f) from 6 January 2022, the compulsory presentation of proof of identification (identity card, passport, driving licence) during the Safepass check at the premises where required, with the managers of the premises/businesses proceeding with the identification.
(g) from 10 January 2022, increasing the teleworking rate to 50%
(h) from 10 January 2022, accommodation and visits to hotels/tourist accommodation will only be allowed to persons who have started or completed their vaccination programme and the period of time required to receive the 2nd or 3rd dose of vaccine has not elapsed
(i) the administration of an additional package of 5 self-tests to persons aged 12 years and over who have completed their vaccination programme
(j) from 6 January 2022, close contacts, regardless of vaccination history or disease, to undergo Rapid antigen Rapid test or PCR laboratory test on the 3rd and 5th day after the last date of contact with the case
(k) from 6 January 2022, a ban on exits/overnight stays of residents from closed facilities and nursing homes
(l) from 6 January 2022, the lifting of mandatory state quarantine for passengers from the countries of South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Botswana, as based on our epidemiological picture the entry of the Omicron variant into our country is from various countries
(m) from 6 January 2022, those arriving in the Republic of Cyprus who refuse to undergo a PCR laboratory test will be placed in state quarantine for the period of 14 days and can be released on the 7th day, provided that they undergo a PCR laboratory test. The costs of quarantine and testing will be borne by the citizen.
From 6 January 2022, all passengers aged 12 years and over arriving in the Republic of Cyprus, without exception, will be required to have a PCR laboratory test of at least 72 hours' duration prior to departure for the Republic.
(o) the extension of the validity of the existing measures until 31 January 2022
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