Clarifications on Cabinet decisions - 5 January 2022
(a) the operation of all public and private primary and secondary schools on 10 January 2022, as previously decided by the Cabinet.
- Recall that all without exception, students, teachers and other staff upon their return on January 10, 2022, will be required to produce a negative Rapid test of 48 hours validity.
- Excluding children under 6 years of age.
- As a reminder, preschool, kindergarten and daycare centers will reopen normally as of January 7, 2022.
(b) From 10 January 2022, primary school students in private and public schools will be required to present a negative Rapid test twice a week
- Ministry of Health mobile units will continue to visit schools to conduct the Rapid test to better serve students.
- Recall that, in secondary education, students present a negative Rapid test of 72 hours validity.
- It is recalled that students who have completed their vaccination programme (two doses) or have a certificate of contagiousness valid for 180 days are exempt from the above obligation.
[C](c) from 6 January 2022, the number of gatherings in dwellings is reduced to 10 persons
- 10 persons does not include children up to 12 years of age.
(d) from 10 January 2022, a maximum of 200 persons shall be set for restaurants, entertainment centres, music and dance halls, weddings and christenings, subject to health protocols and the maximum number of persons per square metre in force
- The maximum number of persons per table shall be set at 8 persons.
- It is recalled that service is provided exclusively at table seating.
- It is recalled that dancing is prohibited in the above-mentioned areas.
(e) As of January 6, 2022, a maximum limit of 200 persons is established 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 for all indoor and outdoor areas, citizens are required to wear a protective mask and keep the necessary distances.
- It is recommended that citizens use a double surgical mask or a high protection mask (type KN95 or type FFP2).
- It is recommended that the use of fabric face masks is avoided.
(f) from 6 January 2022, it is mandatory to show proof of identification during Safepass checks at the premises where required, with authorised officials and/or managers of premises/businesses proceeding with the identification
- Proof of identification (ID card, passport).
(g) From 10 January 2022, the percentage of teleworking is increased up to 50% of the staff of each company or organisation in the service sector and for the public and wider public sector
- It is clarified that this percentage includes persons who due to illness or declared as close contact with a confirmed case are put on self-limitation and work from home and persons who used their rest leave.
- Priority should be given to persons belonging to vulnerable groups. [BRP]- The teleworking measure excludes firms employing up to 10 people.
- Excluding essential services where the head of the service concerned regulates teleworking according to the needs of the service.
- Employees who have completed their Covid-19 vaccination program with the two doses for bivalent vaccines and one dose for the monovalent vaccine, or hold a certificate of illness (valid for 180 days) are required to provide a negative Rapid antigen detection test (Rapid test) valid for 7 days. The test shall be carried out on presentation of a written message or a hard copy of the result.
- Excluding workers who received the booster/3rd dose of vaccine in the case of bivalent vaccines or 2nd dose in the case of mono-dose vaccine.
- Employees (18+) who did not receive any dose of vaccine are required to provide a 72-hour negative PCR test or 48-hour Rapid test. Testing is done through the CovScan Cyprus application.
- For vaccinated persons or persons infected with COVID-19 or persons excluded from vaccination for medical reasons, the Rapid test is provided free of charge at the sampling points. This also applies to persons who have received at least one dose of vaccine and the period required to receive the second dose has not elapsed.
- Each organisation, company, enterprise may designate a specific day on which employees will be tested for the weekly Rapid test.
- It is clarified that if a chain of transmission is recorded in a workplace, all employees without exception will be subjected to a Rapid test for antigen detection.
(h) from 10 January 2022, only persons who have completed their vaccination programme or who have started their vaccination programme and the time period required to receive the 2nd or 3rd dose of vaccine has not elapsed will be allowed to stay and visit hotels/tourist accommodation
- Entry will only be allowed to persons who have received at least one dose of the vaccine, provided that the period of time required for the 2nd dose has not elapsed. Until the time period for receiving the 2nd dose or, in the case of a single dose of vaccine, the 14 days have elapsed, citizens are required to provide a negative Rapid test, which is provided free of charge.
(i) an additional package of 5 self-tests shall be provided to persons aged 18 years and over who have completed their vaccination programme or hold a certificate of disease (180 days)
- The self-test package shall also be provided to children aged 12-17 who have received at least one dose of vaccine and the period required to receive the second dose has not elapsed or who hold a certificate of disease.
- Those citizens who have not received the first package will be able to do so until 20 January 2022.
- The date of distribution of the second self-test package to citizens will be announced in the next few days.
(i) Close contacts, regardless of vaccination or disease history, will undergo Rapid test for antigen detection on the 3rd and 5th day after the last day of contact with the case
- Rapid test will be carried out free of charge at facilities indicated by the Ministry of Health and the procedure to be followed will be announced in the coming days.
What applies per case in close contacts:
Booster dose of vaccine, effective from the same day as the booster dose:
- The person is not obliged to self-limit, provided that the Personal Protection Measures (mask, hand hygiene, keeping distance from other persons, reducing contacts, self-monitoring for symptoms) are respected. Recommendation for Rapid test on the 3rd and 5th day through the tracing procedure to be provided free of charge.
Complete vaccination with any vaccine recognised by the Republic of Cyprus (2 doses of vaccine or 1 dose of monovalent vaccine + 14 days) and 7 months have not elapsed since the last dose:
- The person is not obliged to self-limit, provided that the Personal Protection Measures (mask, hand hygiene, keeping distance from other persons, reducing contact, self-monitoring for symptoms) are observed. Mandatory Rapid test on the 3rd and 5th day through the tracing procedure which will be provided free of charge. Recommendation for PCR on day 7 of contact.
Persons previously diagnosed/infected as cases by PCR or Rapid Antigen Test and 90 days have not elapsed since release:
- The person is not required to self-limit, provided that Personal Protection Measures (mask, hand hygiene, keeping distance from other persons, reducing contact, self-monitoring for symptoms) are observed. Mandatory Rapid test on the 3rd and 5th day through the tracing procedure to be provided free of charge. Recommendation for PCR on day 7 of contact.
Complete vaccination with any vaccine recognised by the Republic of Cyprus (2 doses of vaccine or 1 dose of monovalent vaccine + 14 days) but 7 months have elapsed since the last dose:
- The person is required to self-limit for 14 days after contact with a confirmed case. Release earlier than 14 days can be done by PCR test (with negative result) on the 7th day after contact or later, at a cost paid by the person concerned. Mandatory Rapid test on days 3 and 5 through the tracing procedure provided free of charge.
Individuals with no history of vaccination or disease:
- The individual is required to self-limit for 14 days after contact with a confirmed case. Release earlier than 14 days can be done by PCR test (with a negative result) on day 7 of contact or later at a cost paid by the individual. Mandatory Rapid test on day 3 and day 5 via tracing procedure to be provided free of charge.
- Excluding health professionals for whom the protocol announced on 29 December 2021 applies.
[K](k) from 6 January 2022, a ban on outings/overnight stays of residents from closed facilities and nursing homes.
- Recall that, visits to state and private nursing homes, closed facilities and nursing homes are allowed only if approval is granted by management upon presentation of a negative 24-hour PCR laboratory test for emergencies and only in exceptional circumstances.
(l) from 6 January 2022, the lifting of the mandatory state quarantine of passengers originating from the countries of South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Botswana.
(m) from 6 January 2022, those arriving in the Republic of Cyprus who refuse to undergo a PCR laboratory test in addition to criminal responsibility will be placed under state quarantine for a period of 14 days.
- They can be released earlier only if they consent to 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 lasting at least 72 hours before departure for the Republic.
(AF)
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