The Ministry of Health clarifies that:
(a) from 4 January at 11pm until 15 January 2022, passengers over 12 years of age arriving in the Republic of Cyprus are required to provide a negative PCR laboratory test 48 hours before departure.
- The decision applies to all passengers regardless of nationality and vaccination history.
- It is recalled that upon arrival in the Republic all passengers, regardless of vaccination history, are subject to a PCR laboratory test and the cost is borne by the passenger.
- In addition, with the exception of those proven to have received a booster dose of the vaccine, all other passengers will have to undergo a rapid antigen detection test for COVID-19 disease 72 hours after their arrival.
(b) From 3 January 2022, 40% of the staff of each company or organisation in the service sector and for the public and wider public sector shall work by teleworking.
- Clarify that this percentage includes people who, due to illness or reporting as close contact with a confirmed case, are placed on self-limitation and work from home and people who have used their rest leave.
- The teleworking measure excludes businesses employing up to 10 people.
- * Essential services (as listed below) are exempt
- Employees who completed their Covid-19 vaccination program with two doses for bivalent vaccines and one dose for the monovalent vaccine, or who hold a certificate of illness (180-day duration) are required to provide a negative 7-day Rapid antigen detection test test. The test is carried out on presentation of a written message or presentation of the result in hard copy.
- Except for employees who received the booster/3rd dose of vaccine in the case of bivalent vaccines or 2nd dose in the case of monostatic vaccines.
- Employees (18+) who did not receive any dose of vaccine are required to present a negative 72-hour 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 or, in the case of the single dose vaccine, 14 days have not elapsed since vaccination with the first dose.
- Each organization, company, enterprise, may designate a specific day on which employees will be screened 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 testing.
[C](c) From 30 December 2021, entry to entertainment centres, music and dance halls, banquet halls, weddings, baptisms will only be allowed with the additional presentation of a negative 24-hour Rapid test.
- In the above mentioned places it is allowed to enter with the presentation of a 24-hour Rapid test only:
(a) persons who have received at least one dose of vaccine and in the case of a bivalent vaccine, 35 days have not elapsed; (b) persons who have completed their vaccination regimen; (c) persons who hold a current certificate of illness; and (d) persons who for medical reasons cannot be vaccinated and hold a medical certificate issued by the Ministry of Health.
- Excluded from the 24-hour Rapid test decision are citizens who have received the booster/3rd dose of vaccine.
- Excluded from the 24-hour Rapid test decision are employees of the above premises.
- Until January 6, 2022, children aged 12-17 years who have not received any dose of vaccine will be allowed to attend the above venues (weddings, baptisms) upon presentation of a negative 24-hour Rapid antigen rapid test, provided they are accompanied by a parent/guardian who has started or completed their vaccination schedule.
It is reminded that.
(i) indoor and outdoor stadiums
- Professional athletes, employees of sports facilities and persons aged 12 to 18 years who train or compete on sports grounds are excluded.
(ii) theatres, amphitheatres, cinemas, auditoriums
- Excludes workers presenting a negative PCR laboratory test or rapid test.
(iii) food service areas (including food service areas in shopping malls)
- Exempt employees presenting a negative PCR laboratory test or rapid test
- Exempt children aged 6-11 years, provided they have a SafePass and there is no restriction for children under 6 years of age.
- In all other places not mentioned above, the existing provisions based on the ordinances continue to apply.
SafePass requirements by age. - 6-11 years requires a negative laboratory test on a weekly basis (excludes children 6 years of age attending preschool). - 12-17 years requires a 72-hour negative PCR laboratory test or rapid antigen rapid test; - 18 years and over requires a 72-hour negative PCR laboratory test or 48-hour rapid antigen rapid test).
Recall that:
Until 6 January 2022, in view of the Christmas holidays, children aged 12-17 years who have not received any dose of the vaccine will be allowed in food outlets (including food outlets in shopping centres and hotels), theatres, amphitheatres, cinemas, theatres, indoor and outdoor arenas, upon presentation of a 72-hour negative Rapid Antigen Rapid Test, provided they are accompanied by a parent/guardian who has started or completed their vaccination programme.
- Recall that Safe Pass demonstration is required in venues where there is a capacity to assemble more than 10 persons, including employees.
[D] As of December 30, 2021, a maximum limit of 300 persons is established for food service, entertainment and music venues subject to health protocols and the maximum number of persons per square foot in effect.
- Citizens must be seated while dancing is prohibited.
- It is clarified that the above 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 PROTECTIVE FACE MASKS.
- If it is found after an inspection that the protective measures are not complied with, the competent authorities may revoke the operating license.
[F](f) from 30 December 2021, visits to public and private hospitals and closed structures are prohibited.
- Unless authorized by the management after a negative PCR laboratory test of 24 hours duration is provided for urgent and only exceptional cases.
(g) For outpatient visits of patients and companions in public and private hospitals, private practices and diagnostic centres, a negative 24-hour Rapid test is required.
- Excluding persons who have received a booster/3rd dose of vaccine.
[G](g) by December 30, 2021, the change in COVID-19 case management and close contact protocols for healthcare professionals who have not received any dose of vaccine, or received both doses for bivalent vaccines or one dose for monovalent vaccine and the 7-month period has elapsed and they 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 the 6th and 7th day and if the result is negative to be released on the 8th day, provided they have no symptoms for a period of 48 hours.
In addition the following are recommended:
- As citizens use a double surgical mask or high protection mask. (e.g. type KN95 or type FFP2).
- Avoid the use of a fabric protective face mask.
It is reminded that the use of a protective face mask in all areas, indoors and outdoors, is mandatory. - Distance learning and online examinations in higher education.
*The following are defined as Essential Services:
(1) The Ministry of Labour, Welfare and Social Security, including its Departments/Agencies,
(2) the Ministry of Health, including its Directorates/Departments and Agencies, as well as the State Health Services Agency and the Health Insurance Agency and their Directorates and/or Agencies,
(3) the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works, including its Departments/Directorates,
(4) the Ministry of Finance, including its Directorates General/Departments/Services,
(5) the Ministry of Interior, including its Directorates/Directorates/Departments/Services,
(6) the Ministry of Energy, Trade and Industry, including its Directorates/Departments/Services,
(7) the Ministry of Justice and Public Order, including its Directorates/Departments/Services,
(8) the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, including its Directorates/Departments/Services; (9) the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports and Youth, including its Directorates/Departments and Services,
(10) the Ministry of Defence,
(11) the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including its Directorates/Departments,
(12) the Ministry of State for Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, including its Departments/Services,
(13) the State Ministry of Maritime Affairs,
(14) the State Ministry of Tourism,
(15) the State Ministry of Social Welfare
(16) the House of Representatives,
(17) the Courts of Justice and the Registry (including their employees),
(18) the Legal Service,
(19) the Health Services of Local Government Authorities and the public and wider public sector; (20) the Cyprus Information Service; (21) the Police, the Fire Brigade and the Prisons Department,
(22) the National Guard,
(23) the General Accounting Office,
(24) private and public hospitals, clinics, medical and diagnostic centres,
(25) the essential services of airports and airlines,
(26) the telecommunications companies and Radio Cyprus,
(27) the Cyprus Electricity Authority,
(28) the Water Supply Councils, Desalination Plants,
(29) the Cyprus Transmission System Operator,
(30) the Financial Markets and Payments Infrastructure Department, the Currency Management Department, the Information Technology Department, the General Administrative Services Department, the Accounting Services and Audit Department and the Supervision Division - Crisis Group, of the Central Bank of Cyprus,
(31) the Cyprus Telecommunications Authority,
(32) the Cyprus Sports Organisation,
(33) the Presidency of the Republic,
(34) the Secretariat of the Council of Ministers,
(35) the Ports Authority, the Ports and Services within the Ports,
(36) the Digital Security Authority,
(37) the Drainage Boards,
(38) the Public Service Commission,
(39) the Education Service Commission,
In addition to the above, for the purposes of this Order they are defined as Essential Services: Banking Services, Insurance Services, Credit Acquisition Company Services, Shipping Services, Lawyers, Law Firms and Law Offices, Media, Services necessary for the supervision and management of the Coronavirus pandemic, for the provision of social services and the payment of benefits and other benefits to citizens, to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply, water supply, water supply purposes, operation of electronic communications/systems, telecommunications and postal services, operation of air transport and air traffic control, operation of maritime traffic management and monitoring systems, operation of civil defence, the operation of hospitals and similar services in the health sector, veterinary services, prisons, asylum and immigration, the repair or maintenance of equipment and electromechanical installations of the National Guard and the Police, including the Fire Brigade, the safe management of waste and strategic stocks of the State, the operation of ports and similar and supporting services, the activities of private security and protection system services, the operation of the State, the operation of the port system and similar and supporting services, the activities of private security and protection system services, and the operation of the public services.
(AF)
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