Cyprus imposes 72h quarantine on arrivals

The Cabinet on Wednesday agreed to impose a mandatory 72-hour quarantine period on all airport arrivals flying in from categories A and B, as well as a mandatory PCR test at the end of those three days.

The measure comes into effect on February 6, while the cost of the PCR test that arrivals will be required to take following their 72-hour quarantine period will be shouldered by the arrivals.

The new tighter measure will complement measures already in place, including the mandatory presentation of a negative PCR test for all arrivals from Category B countries, and the random testing ongoing at the Larnaca and Paphos airports. Additionally, all passengers are required to fill in the Cyprus Flight Pass, regardless of the country from which they are arriving.

In taking the decision, the Cabinet took into account current epidemiological data and international bibliography, which warns of the dangers and the rapid spread of new coronavirus strains. The move aims to fortify the local community from the new strains, for which limited information is currently available.

Since late December, Cyprus has put forth tighter measures for arrivals from the UK including a mandatory seven-day quarantine period at local hotels and a mandatory PCR test with the completion of the one-week isolation period.

Since December 21, when the measure entered into force, over 15,000 arrivals from the UK have been tested, detecting 133 positive cases.

In late January, the Transport Ministry said it to reopen airports for visitors from all countries by March, though it remains to be seen whether this will remain the case in view of the new strains currently plaguing other countries.