Cyprus scraps partial vaccination from Safe Pass

People in Cyprus who received only one of two doses of their COVID-19 vaccine are no longer eligible to use a Safe Pass unless they complete their vaccination or choose to conduct rapid tests at their own expense.

Starting Monday October 18, based on an announcement by health ministry authorities in the Republic of Cyprus, vaccination-based eligibility for Safe Pass only applies to those fully vaccinated, meaning that partially-vaccinated individuals lost their right to use their vaccination status to use the health certificate.

Partially-vaccinated individuals who do not wish to proceed with the second dose will need to have either recovered from the virus in the last six months or obtained a negative rapid or PCR test in the last 72 hours.

The announcement came two weeks ago, after an investigation revealed that 11,000 people who pursued a double-dose series had been only partially vaccinated. In other words, they did not go through with a second dose required to complete thei regimen.

Unvaccinated individuals, who use a COVID recovery certificate or choose to conduct a test, are not affected by the new measure.

Local media said the government took action following reports that many people sought to get jabbed only once in order to obtain a Safe Pass, used to access restricted areas including coffee shops, restaurants, bakeries, and supermarkets.