Cyprus introduces safepass

Cyprus is introducing a so called “safepass” as of Monday, 10 May until the end of the month. Citizens no longer need to send an sms for their movements and the curfew is extended from 11pm until 05:00 the next day.

The measures will take effect from today, 10 May at 06:00 until 31 May 05:00 and include opening of schools with the physical presence of students who will have to present a weekly negative rapid test and the opening of restaurants and retail businesses.

Τhe movement of persons during curfew hours is permitted for purposes of moving to and from workplaces, with the presentation of Form A, for emergencies, such as to go to a medical centre or a hospital or a pharmacy or a veterinarian.

Gatherings are allowed in public areas (parks, squares, excursion sites, dams, beaches, marinas and linear parks) provided the number of persons does not exceed ten, including children. The presence of up to 10 people is allowed in residences, including children.

Schools will remain open with the physical presence of students who will have to present a weekly rapid test. Gymnasium, Lyceum and cycle B will have to present a negative rapid test valid for 72 hours on the first day of classes. The rapid test for primary school students is not obligatory but parents are advised to take their children for a rapid test once a week.

Teachers of primary and high schools need to take the test weekly and are exempted in case they have finished the 1st dose of their vaccine scheme or have been ill from covid the past 6 months. Students who were also ill are free from this obligation as well.

Outdoor dining is allowed for restaurants, taverna, cafeterias, pubs, snack bars and bars, coffee shops and shops within shopping malls and canteens, based on the existing protocol. From 1st June, indoor dining will be allowed. Conditions for the safepass are to have finished the inoculation with the 1st dose the past 3 weeks, to have been infected the past 6 months or to show a rapid test or PCR valid the past 72 hours. Citizens can show as a proof, their inoculation card, the sms from the contact tracing unit that they were sick and have recovered and the rapid test/PCR.

Church services and other forms of religious worship at religious sites will be allowed provided persons attending present the safepass and only up to 50 people are allowed until 16th May. From 17 May, the maximum physical presence of worshippers allowed will stand at 30% of the premises’ capacity, with the necessary safepass presentation. From June 1, 2021, the presence of believers is allowed with a maximum physical presence of 50% of the capacity of the place of religious worship, with the necessary presentation of safepass.

Lunches/dinners and any other kind of gatherings for weddings and christenings are allowed until 16th May with up to ten people including children. From the 17th, these gatherings will be allowed only in outdoor areas with up to 200 people and the presentation of safepass. Cocktail parties are prohibited. From 1st June, indoor dining is allowed based on the agreed timeframe and with a safepass.

Similarly, weddings, funerals and christenings are allowed with the presence of up to 10 people until 16th May. From the 17th, the maximum number of people allowed is 200, provided it does not surpass the 30% capacity and the presentation of a Safepass.

Visits to hospitals, clinics, medical and diagnostic centres are allowed with the approval of the centre’s executive director and the presentation of a negative PCR test performed within 48 hours.

The operation of open-air and indoor theatres, amphitheaters, cinemas and performance halls is permitted with a maximum of 50 spectators attending and subject to a safepass. After the 17th of May, capacity in indoor areas should not exceed 30% and 50% for outdoor areas while from 1st June, the capacity in indoor areas is increased to 50%. A safepass is necessary.

Markets will operate with 50% capacity and 1.5 meters distance between shoppers, according to protocol and without a safepass.

Mass gatherings, demonstrations, parades, concerts, festivals in public and private areas and fairs are prohibited.

Indoor shopping malls can operate provided shoppers present safepass.

The remaining retailers can open provided they observe the measure of 1 person per 10 sqm of working capacity for shops below 1,000 sqm and a safepass for big stores only.

The operation of hairdressing salons and beauty centres is permitted subject to the guidelines of the protocol without a safepass.

Gymns, dance schools and other sports’ academies that were operating until 30th April can re-operate provided those attending can present a safepass.

Betting shops can re-open provided they observe the measure of 1 person per 10sqm without seated indoor areas. Seating is allowed outside without a safepass.

Casinos will remain closed until the 16th but from the 17th May will reopen with a 30% capacity and a safepass and from 1st June with a 50% capacity.

Swimming pools can re-open for training purposes on the basis of the 30th April protocol as well as access to beaches, according to the protocol in place last summer, without the presentation of a safepass.

All study groups as well as sports and social gatherings for children under the age of 18 are allowed, according to the 30th April protocol (6+1) while extracurricular activities in indoor areas are allowed and a mandatory rapid test on a weekly basis is necessary.

The operation of night clubs, event venues, discos, clubs and music and dancing venues is suspended.

The operation of open-air and indoor playgrounds, luna parks and thematic parks remains suspended until the 16th of May but from the 17th, they can re-open based on the protocol provisions and only outdoor areas without holding social gatherings (birthday parties, etc).

Conferences and exhibitions will remain suspended until the 16th and from the 17th they can re-operate with only the 30% capacity of the venue in use and no cocktails allowed. From 1st June the capacity is increased to 50% and participation in conferences requires a safepass.

Visits to nursing homes, care for the elderly units, chronic patients’ units, homes and hostels for vulnerable groups, transitional hospitality hostels for the homeless, day centres and child protection units are allowed subject to the guidelines of the Protocols and a safepass.

Camping areas remain suspended.

Hotels are open from 10th May, for accommodation, with the presentation of a safepass.

Pre-election rallies are allowed provided that the restrictions regarding the capacity of the event will be observed and the attendees will be seated with the necessary presentation of the safepass. Cocktails are prohibited. For example, in open theater /amphitheatre the capacity is up to 50%. In indoor theatres/ amphitheatre up to 30% capacity while at associations/outdoor restaurants attendees must be seated. The maximum number of people present in homes is 10, including those permanent residents.

The public and the wider public sector shall work through teleworking until 16th May. From 17 May compulsory teleworking with the exception of substantial services ensuring, as far as possible, physical presence of up to 50%.

In private companies until May 16, the measure of physical presence of 30% of their staff remains, with a maximum number of employees that can be physically present reaching 50 per establishment and a minimum of 5. From 17th May physical presence of up to 50% is allowed.

In private hospitals, surgeries are allowed with up to 80% bed coverage except for ICU which should have a ceiling of 60% occupied beds.