Vaccinated and survivors can roam free

The health ministry has updated the guidance on rules for known contacts of coronavirus cases, saying vaccinated people and COVID survivors who beat the bug do not need to adhere to self-isolation guidelines.

According to local media, a statement from the health ministry in the Republic of Cyprus on Wednesday made clear that individuals who concluded any authorized vaccination against COVID-19 are exempted from the requirement of self-isolating for 14 days in case they are identified as a contact with a confirmed case.

The updated guidance, which was based on scientific findings and academic literature, also made it clear that people who fell ill after being infected with the novel coronavirus but regained their health in the last six months, will also not be required to self-isolate.

But both vaccinated people and COVID survivors are still urged to take a PCR test if they are identified as a contact with a known COVID case, an exam which remains a requirements for all close contacts.

Police officers have also been authorized to request proof of vaccination or hospital release in cases where close contacts are found not to be in self-isolation.