Source: Announcements
The session of the Council of Ministers which began at 10 am this morning ended shortly after noon today followed by an announcement of new relaxations to the covid restrictions in Cyprus.
Due to the reduction in the number of covid cases and a more positive outlook on the epidemiological picture of the country, the Ministers decided to approve the suggestions of the Scientific Advisory Committee, easing the restrictions even more so in the coming days.
(a) from 8 March, Covid positive individuals may be released on day 7, provided that they have a negative test (Rapid or PCR). If the result is positive, the procedure can be repeated until negative or until the 10th day of self-isolation. This new rule is retroactive and will apply to those currently in self-isolation.
b) from March 8, 2022, close contacts of a confirmed positive case who are unable to self-isolate from the infected person, such as parents caring for a minor child, may also be released on Day 7 provided they test negative on a PCR or rapid test. This new rule is retroactive and will apply to those currently in self-isolation.
(c) from 8 March 2022, certain premises and activities will be classified under 4 categories: 'high risk', 'medium risk', 'low risk' and 'short stay', and entry will be allowed based on the requirements for either vaccinated or unvaccinated individuals. More information to follow during the day. (See table below)
d) from March 8, 2022, retail businesses, casinos, gyms will be allowed to hold more people. The exact number will be announced later in the day.
e) from March 8, 2022, events, including weddings and baptisms, will be allowed a capacity of 500 people, as long as the area to space ratio falls to 1.5 sq meter per person.
f) School parades will now be allowed. A special protocol will be issued with guidelines.
The categories in detail:
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Date of implementation: March 8, 2022
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HIGH RISK
(1 person per 1.5 sq.m.)
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MEDIUM DANGER:
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LOW RISK:
(75% capacity)
(1 person per 4 sq.m.)
(1 person per 4 sq.m.)
(1 person per 4 sq.m.)
(1 person per 4 sq.m.)
(1 person per 4 sq.m.)
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People who are unvaccinated, or those who have completed their vaccination course but a period of 7 months has already elapsed, or those with a certificate of recovery |
Rapid test: 24 hours or PCR test: 48 hours
(for people 6-17 years old a Rapid or PCR test valid for 72 hours)
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Rapid test: 48 hours or PCR test: 72 hours
(for people 6-17 years old a Rapid or PCR test valid for 72 hours)
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Rapid test: 72 hours or PCR test: 72 hours
(for people 6-17 years old a Rapid or PCR test valid for 72 hours) |
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People who received booster/3rd vaccine dose, or those who have had two doses of a two-dose vaccine, or a JJ dose and the period of 7 months has not yet elapsed: |
Rapid test: 48 hours or PCR test: 72 hours
(for people 6-17 years old a Rapid or PCR test valid for 72 hours) |
Demonstration of a valid certificate Vaccination or Recovery certificate |
Demonstration of a valid certificate Vaccination or Recovery certificate |
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SAFEPASSES WILL NOT BE REQUIRED FOR THE FOLLOWING SHORT STAY AREAS: - Supermarkets - Retail trade (premises under 100 sq.m.) - Take Away service - Pharmacies - Bakeries - Kiosks |
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SAFEPASS CONDITIONS FOR WORKPLACES: (1 person per 4 sq.m.)
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EMPLOYEE IN HOMES AND CLOSED STRUCTURES:
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PEOPLE WITHOUT VACCINATION HISTORY, OR PEOPLE WHO HAVE COMPLETED THEIR VACCINATION PROGRAM AND THE PERIOD OF 7 MONTHS HAS PASSED:
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Rapid test: 48 hours or PCR test: 48 hours
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Rapid test: 24 hours or PCR test: 48 hours
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PERSONS WHO HAVE COMPLETED THE VACCINATION COURSE WITH A SINGLE OR DOUBLE DOSE, AND THE 7 MONTH PERIOD HAS NOT YET ELAPSED, OR THOSE WITH A CERTIFICATE OF RECOVERY AND THE 90 DAY PERIOD HAS NOT YET ELAPSED: |
Rapid test: 7 days or PCR test: 7 days
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Rapid test: 72 hours or PCR test: 72 hours |
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PEOPLE WHO HAVE RECEIVED A BOOSTER/ 3rd VACCINE DOSAGE:
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No Obligation
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Rapid test: 72 hours or PCR test: 72 hours
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Important Clarifications :
- Persons who, for medical reasons, cannot be vaccinated and hold a medical certificate issued by the Ministry of Health will need to present a rapid or PCR test taken no longer than 72 hours before.
- A SafePass is required in spaces where more than 25 people gather, ie spaces over 100 sq.m.
- The examination of persons with a valid certificate of vaccination or disease in high-risk areas will be done as follows: a) the certificate of vaccination or disease will be checked through the CovScan Cyprus application and b) then the negative test (Rapid or PCR) will be presented in printed form or in a text message.
