Face masks now required in pharmacies, labs and covid testing areas

As COVID cases rise in Cyprus, the Cabinet decided on Tuesday to make face masks mandatory again in pharmacies, clinical labs and testing areas.

A press release issued by the Ministry of Health says that the rise in epidemiological indices as well as in hospitalizations due to new variants and sub-variants were observed in recent days.

The Ministry urges citizens to use a face mask and sanitize their hands, emphasizing that personal responsibility is of the utmost importance.

The press release also says that the Ministry in cooperation with the members of the scientific advisory committee will be assessing all data and more measures will be taken for the protection of public health if needed.

Face masks in the above places will again become mandatory as of June 30.  The Ministry is reminding the public that a face mask was mandatory in the past for all employees and visitors 12 and older in hospitals, nursing homes, closed units, clinics, rehabilitation centers and public transport.

The Ministry of Health is advising the public once again to wear face masks in crowded places, most especially those persons who belong to vulnerable groups or associate with people who are at risk.

The Cabinet also decided to put a price cap on PCR tests at 30 euros from 50 as of June 30. The price for self-tests is €1.70 per piece as of July 4 while the price per package is 6 euros (for 5 pieces). All other existing measures for COVID-19 remain in place until July 31.