8 January 2021 - New Measures to contain the Covid-19 pandemic
With effect from 10/01/2021 (6.00 am)
Due to the imperative urgency arising from the epidemiological data for the protection of public health, for coping with the spread of COVID-19 Coronavirus and taking into consideration that despite the measures taken previously from 29 December 2020 to 06 January 2021 5,373 cases have been recorded while the average rate of persons hospitalized daily has increased and fluctuates between 170 and 190 patients per day, and given the fact that during the above period 25 deaths of patients have been recorded with the COVID-19 disease as the ultimate cause and given that 9 in 10 cases recorded are local infections, and also because the percentage of positive results from laboratory testing moves close to 5% and 5.5%, i.e. over the 4% safety limit specified by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), the following shall apply for the Districts of Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca, Famagusta and Paphos from 10 January 2021 at 05.00 a.m. to 31 January 2021 at 23:59 p.m., unless otherwise stated in this paragraph.
(a) Movements are prohibited, with the exception of the following cases:
(i)going to and coming back from the workplace, as well as for work purposes, with the presentation of Form A (Confirmation of Employee’s Movement),
(ii) strictly necessary visits to public services or services of the wider public sector and local authorities and movements for purchasing essential goods/services, to and from businesses/services, whose operation has not been suspended;
(iii) visiting a physician or for blood donation or going to a pharmacy or for laboratory testing for Covid-19 or for vaccination at the vaccination centres;
(iv) going to the bank for transactions not available online;
(v) helping relatives and/or people who are unable to take care of themselves or people who must protect themselves or who are in self-isolation and/or in places of compulsory isolation (quarantine);
(vi) first and second-degree relatives going to ceremonies such as funerals, weddings and christenings not exceeding 10 people;
(vii) physical exercise or individual sports; and
(viii) movement of divorced or separated parents, which is necessary for the uninterrupted communication between parents and children:
Provided that people can use the movement by exception, other than for the reason of subparagraph (i), twice a day by sending a SMS to 8998 for authorisation purposes:
Provided that the movement of people with disabilities and those falling within the spectrum of autism, together with their carer, as well as the movement for physical exercise and for the needs of a domestic animal is permitted within a radius of 500 meters from their residence:
Provided further that people over 65 may use a written declaration of movement by exception (Form B), only twice a day.
Provided further that the SMS shall only be valid for a reasonable period of time which shall not exceed 3 hours unless the sender of the SMS proves the necessity for extension of such time.
(b) The movements by exception provided for in paragraph (a) shall be subject to the following terms and conditions:
(i) the movement of persons from 21.00 p.m. to 05.00 a.m. is prohibited with the exception of those holding Form A
(Confirmation of Employee’s Movement), which certifies the necessity of movement during these hours;
(ii) all persons whose movement is permitted as above should carry their identity card or passport as an additional proof in case it is requested by the competent authorities;
(iii) people from the same household may travel in a private vehicle, depending on its capacity, without wearing mask;
(iv) people from different households may travel in the same private vehicle, provided that they do not exceed three persons including the driver and that they wear masks;
(v) in case of traveling for work purposes in a private vehicle of a capacity exceeding 5 persons, only four persons may travel and they should wear masks;
(vi) in case a person is not able to drive, his spouse or a first or second-degree relative or another person may drive the vehicle upon solemn declaration of that person;
(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraphs (a) and (b), the following movements are excepted exclusively for imperative urgency:
(i) going to a medical centre or hospital or pharmacy or veterinarian for medical emergencies;
(ii) provision of urgent assistance to persons who are unable to take care of themselves or who must protect themselves:
Provided that those moving by exception, under the provisions of subparagraph (c), should carry their identity card or passport as an additional proof in case it is requested by the competent authorities.
(d) Access to the following areas is prohibited:
(i)playgrounds; and
(ii) public gathering areas, such as squares, courtyards of churches and other places of religious worship, dams, excursion and camping sites, marinas etc.;
(e) Access to the following areas is permitted only for physical exercise or individual sports and provided that the number of persons does not exceed 2 except minor children:
(i) parks and linear parks;
(ii) beaches.
(f) Mass and other events, gatherings, demonstrations, parages, concerts, festivals and similar events in public or private places are prohibited,
(g) The presence of any persons in a residence beyond those residing permanently in it, is prohibited:
Provided that the presence of minor children, persons with disabilities, childminders and nursery schoolteachers beyond the permanent residents is permissible, exclusively for reasons of help and care, as well as the visit to a house to help persons who are unable to take care of themselves.
(h) Church services and other forms of religious worship in religious sites shall be performed without the presence of congregants:
Provided that the responsibility for compliance lies with the person or persons who are in charge of the specific religious worship site according to the regulating legal framework of the religion or/and creed concerned.
(i) Individual prayer in churches, mosques and other religious sites is allowed, outside church service hours or/and other religious ceremonies and provided that not more than 10 persons are simultaneously present within the religious worship place:
Provided that the responsibility for compliance lies with the person or persons who are in charge of the specific religious worship site according to the regulating legal framework of the religion or/and creed concerned.
(j) Ceremonies such as weddings, christenings, funerals, are permitted with a maximum number of 10 persons attending.
(k) The holding of luncheons/dinners and any other events relating to weddings and christenings, is prohibited
(l) Visits to hospitals, clinics, medical and diagnostic centres are prohibited.
(m) No visits are allowed 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, with the exception of persons with disabilities whereby each tenant may receive two visits per week, with the possibility of additional visits being considered by a competent officer when an exceptional need arises.
(n) Operations and admissions of patients to State and private hospitals are regulated based on the ceilings set out by the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health.
(o)Persons approaching to a place accessed by the public should maintain a distance of 2 meters from other persons.
(p) Meetings/elections of Trade Unions registered according to the Trade Union Laws of 1965-1996, may take place by using electronic means, upon the approval of the Registrar of Trade Unions.
(q) The maximum number of passengers allowed to travel in all regular buses with a fare per passenger, as well as in all public and/or private transport means, depending on their capacity, is defined in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works:
Provided that the use of a protective facemask is mandatory for employees and passengers in all transport means mentioned in this paragraph.
(r) Retail food trade outlets and pharmacies shall on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays (if applicable) provide services, from their opening time until 10.00 a.m., only to the following persons
(i) aged 65 and over; and
(ii) with disabilities.
(s) The operation of Courts and Registries shall be governed by the guidelines issued by the Supreme Court.
(t) The holding of written examinations shall be permitted upon request of the competent body, as well as the holding of meetings of State Authorities and/or meetings of Authorities and/or Services and/or Organs and/or Bodies, which are provided for by the Constitution, in places approved by the Ministry of Health.
(u) The operation of private and public schools of primary and secondary education, as well as of Higher and Tertiary Education Institutions shall be carried out through online education with the exception of the private and public nurseries and kindergartens, including pre-primary schools and special education schools, where the the operations shall be carried out normally with physical attendance:
It is noted that in those cases where the physical attendance of students of Higher Educational Institutions is absolutely necessary for the purpose of laboratory classes in preparing the students for examinations, laboratory classes may be physically attended, subject to the health protocols:
Provided further that the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports and Youth as the competent authority, may regulate the physical attendance of the teaching and other staff of the schools for the smooth operation of the online teaching.
(v) The operation of all private institutes and private educational centres is suspended:
It is noted that they may operate through online teaching.
(x) All athletic team events and social activities are prohibited.
Provided that athletic team events falling within the provisions of paragraph (au) are permitted.
(y) The operation or retailers is suspended with the exception of the following businesses:
(i) All food and beverage retailers (supermarkets, grocery stores, butchers, fish markets, bakeries, pastry shops, fruit markets, liquor stores, kiosks, mini markets, tobacco stores) without using tables and chairs;
(ii) pharmacies;
(iii) private health business (clinical laboratories);
(iv) gas stations;
(v) shops and laboratories for disability and orthopaedic products;
(vi) shops and laboratories for medical and industrial gases and equipment;
(vii) optics businesses and laboratories;
(viii) hearing aids retailers;
(ix) businesses dealing in medical equipment and consumables;
(x) businesses dealing in car parts and accessories;
(xi) tire retailers;
(xii) bicycle retailers and repairers;
(xiii) carwash businesses, only for outside car wash;
(xiv) car and motorcycle garages;
(xv) dry cleaners;
(xvi) postal and courier services;
(xvii) animal feed and veterinary medicines retailers.
(xviii) pet shops;
(xix) telecommunications service providers for services relating to bill payments and portability, top-ups, repair and replacement of mobile devices;
(xx) pesticides, fertilisers and agricultural materials or equipment retailers;
(xxi) florists and garden centres;
(xxii) farmers’ markets shall operate at 50% of their capacity, the persons should maintain a distance of 1.5 meters between them and the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health should be observed; and
(xxiii) any other businesses announced by the competent Ministry:
Provided that retailers whose operation is not suspended should observe the measure of 1 person per 10 sqm. Moreover, big stores exceeding 500 sqm are obliged to ensure that there is a check at the entrance in the presence of an authorized person so that the maximum number of customers is upheld:
Provided further that all retailers, irrespective of whether their operation has been suspended or not, may provide e-commerce services or home delivery services:
Provided further that the aforementioned enterprises which continue to operate, may not trade in any of the products traded by the retailers which hereby suspend their operation.
(z) The operation of department stores is suspended with the exception of the supermarkets inside the department stores.
(aa) The operation of malls is suspended with the exception of the supermarkets inside the malls.
(ab) Conferences, trade and art fairs, meetings etc. are suspended.
(ac) The operation of betting shops is suspended.
(ad) The operation of casinos is suspended.
(ae) The operation of swimming pools is suspended with the exception of their use by persons with disabilities for reasons of therapeutic exercise.
(af) The operation of gyms, dancing schools and other sports academies is suspended.
(ag) The operation of archaeological sites, museums and historic sites is suspended.
(ah) The operation of itinerant sales and bazaars is prohibited.
(ai) The operation of hairdressing salons, barber shops, beauty centres and tattooing shops is suspended.
(aj) The operation of night clubs, event venues, discos, clubs and music and dancing venues is suspended.
(ak) The operation of open-air and indoor theatres, amphitheatres, cinemas and performance halls is suspended.
(al) The operation of open-air and indoor playgrounds, luna parks and thematic parks is suspended.
(am) The operation of sports clubs, cultural circles, associations, societies is suspended.
(an) The operation of zoos is suspended.
(ao) The operation of driving schools is suspended.
(ap) The operation of constructions sites and in general of the construction sector and of related activities is permitted according to the guidelines of the Ministries of Health and Labour, Welfare and Social Insurance.
(aq) The operation of hotels or/and tourist accommodation units shall be permitted provided that they accommodate exclusively persons who do not reside in the Republic and fall within the provisions of paragraphs 2.9 to 2.14 and 2.16, as well as for the accommodation of persons in mandatory isolation referred by the Deputy Ministry of Tourism:
Provided that the use of hotels and/or tourist accommodation infrastructures by persons other than those provided for in this paragraph is not permitted.
(ar) with the exception of the catering areas of the Airports in Larnaca and Paphos, as well as with the exception of the catering areas inside the hotels and tourist accommodation units which may operate until 21.00 p.m. under points (i) to (iii) of the reservation, the operation of all catering areas such as restaurants, tavernas, cafeterias, pubs, snack-bars and bars, coffee shops and catering areas within malls, canteens or/and sports clubs, cultural circles, associations, societies etc., is suspended, with the exception of their take away services which may be provided until 20.30 p.m., the sale of alcohol not being permitted, and their home delivery services.
Provided that catering services in the hotels and tourist accommodations are provided on the following terms:
(i) only for the service of persons falling within the provisions of paragraph (aq) and provided that they are served exclusively seated, observing the guidelines of the Ministry of Health;
(ii) the operation and use of bars inside the catering areas is limited exclusively to the preparation of food or drinks by the employees and the direct service from the bar is prohibited.
(iii) the maximum number of persons per table may not exceed six (6)
(as) The operation of equestrian events is permitted without spectators being present, observing the guidelines of the Ministry of Health and the Cyprus Sports Organisation.
(i) The public sector and the wider public sector, with the exception of substantial services set out in paragraph (au) of this Decree shall work by teleworking and with physical presence of the necessary personnel at the offices in order to ensure the smooth operation of the Service and the service of citizens to meet emergency needs:
Provided that the outdoor construction sites/teams shall continue their works by observing the relevant health protocols;
(ii) the competent authority, by virtue of the Public Service Law of 1990 to 2020 or/and any laws governing the operation of Independent Services and/or Deputy Ministries, shall proceed immediately to the identification of staffing needs for teleworking and physical presence at work for the smooth operation of the Service, either for substantial or non-substantial services, taking into consideration the provisions of subparagraph (i) above;
(iii) civil servants who fall within the categories of citizens with risk factors for serious illness by COVID-19 contained in a list prepared by the Ministry of Health and published on 20 December 2020 or/and in any future update of that list and they do not wish to return to their workplace are obliged to perform their duties from home by teleworking. If they do not wish to perform their duties from home, they may apply for a special sick leave which shall be considered as a sick leave according to the legislation in force and/or collective agreement and/or terms of employment for the period of which the said beneficiaries shall be indemnified with 60% of their earnings by their employer;
(iv) civil servants who are responsible for the care of children up to 15 years of age or children with disabilities despite of their age, shall submit, for evaluation, a request to the head of their service for teleworking, where possible, provided that the smooth operation of the service is guaranteed:
Provided that only one of the parents/guardians may apply for such leave at any time, giving priority to the parent/guardian who is not working at a substantial service;
(v) in cases where due to the nature of the work the teleworking is not permitted, depending on the needs of the service, a request for special leave for reasons of public health may be submitted for the period of which the said beneficiaries shall be indemnified with 60% of their earnings by their employer;
(vi) the substantial services as defined in paragraph (au) may by decision of the Competent Authority implement flexible working hours in addition to the working hours of the personnel, in agreement with the employees;
(vii) Organisations of Public Law and Local Authorities shall implement the provisions of paragraph (at) hereof mutatis mutandis.
(au) For the purposes of this Decree, the following services are defined as substantial:
(1) the Ministry of Finance, including all its Departments/Services and the Cyprus Telecommunications Authority;
(2) the Ministry of Labour, Welfare and Social Insurance, including all its Departments/Services and the Human Resource Development Authority;
(3) the Ministry of Health, including all its Directorates/Departments and Services, as well as the State Medical Services Organisation and the Health Insurance Organisation and their Directorates and/or Services;
(4) the Health Services of the Local Authorities and of the public sector and of the wider public sector;
(5) the Ministry of Interior, including the Civil Registry and Migration Department, the Asylum Service, the Lands and Surveys Department, The Town Planning and Housing Department and the District Administrations;
(6) the Administration, the Department of Information Technology Services and the Department of Electronic Communication, Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy;
(7) the Administration and the Services of the Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry, including the Consumers Protection Service and the Registrar of Companies and Official Receiver;
(8) the Cyprus Intelligence Services;
(9) the Law Office of the Republic;
(10) the Ministry of Justice and Public Order, the Police, the Fire Service and the Prisons Department,
(11) the Administration of the Ministry of Transports, Communications and Works, the Civil Aviation, the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, the Department of Postal Services, the Department of Public Works and the Department of Road Transport;
(12) the Veterinary Services, the Department of Forests, the Water Development Department, the Department of Environment, the Meteorological Service and the Administration of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment;
(13) the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports and Youth including its Directorates/Departments and Services,
(14) the Presidency of the Republic;
(15) the Council of Ministers and its Secretariat;
(16) the Directorate General of European Programmes, Coordination and Development;
(17) the Courts and Registries (including their staff);
(18) the Ministry of Defence and the National Guard;
(19) the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its Directorates/Departments;
(20) the Treasury;
(21) the Port Authority, the Ports and their Services;
(22) the private and public hospitals, clinics, medical and diagnostic centres;
(23) the Substantial services of airports and air companies;
(24) the telecommunication and radio companies in Cyprus;
(25) the Electricity Authority of Cyprus;
(26) the Water Boards and Desalination Plants;
(27) the Office of the Transmission System Operator;
(28) the Investigation Committee of Naturalisation by Exception of non-Cypriot Investors and Businesspersons, appointed by virtue of a decree issued by the Attorney General of the Republic (R.A.A. 406/20 and 467/20) and its staff and the Investigation Committee for establishing the facts in relation to Cypra Ltd and/or Cypra Bioenergy Ltd and/or to other connected and/or related companies and/or persons, appointed by virtue of a decree issued by the Attorney General of the Republic (R.A.A 652/20) and its staff;
(29) the Financial Market Infrastructures & Payments Division, the Currency Management Division, the Information Technology Division, the General Administration Services Division, the Accounting Services and Controlling Division and the Supervision – Crisis Team, Central Bank of Cyprus,
(30) the Digital Security Authority;
(31) the Local Authorities;
(32) the Sewerage Boards;
(33) the Office of the Commissioner of Electronic Communications and Postal Regulations;
(34) the House of Representatives; and
(35) the Cyprus Agricultural Payments Organisation.
In addition to the above list, for the purposes of this Decree, the following services are defined as substantial: the banking services, the services of protection of public safety and order, the services that are necessary to the monitoring and management of the Coronavirus pandemic, for the provisions of social services and the payment of grants and other benefits to the citizens, to ensure uninterrupted provision of electric power, the water supply services, the services for the operation of electronic communications / systems, telecommunications and postal services, for the operation of air transports and the control of air traffic, for the operation of the maritime traffic management and monitoring systems, for the operation of civil defence, for the operation of hospitals and similar services in the health sector, the Veterinary Services, the prisons, the asylum and migration, for the repair or maintenance of the electrical and mechanical installations of the National Guard and the Police, including the Fire Service, the safe waste and strategic State resources management, the operation of ports and similar and support services thereof, as well as the provision of private protection and protection system services, the provision of services to systems and outdoors.
(av) The Cyprus ports shall operate only for commercial transactions and activities. Support services are allowed only for logistics purposes and the disembarking of passengers from cruise ships is prohibited.
(ax) The operation and use of indoor and outdoor sports facilities is suspended with the exception of the following cases:
(i) the operation of sports facilities for training and matches, without the presence of spectators, for the championships of Premier League teams and national teams, without using changing rooms and similar infrastructures and in compliance with the health protocols:
Provided that on the day of the match, the operation of the changing rooms is permitted;
(ii) the operation of sports facilities for the training of the second and third division clubs and provided that the number of trained persons does not exceed 5 including the coach; and
(iii) the operation of sports facilities for the training of high-performance athletes included in the list of the Cyprus Sports Organisation and provided that the number of athletes does not exceed 5 including the coach, such as athletes who have been qualified or are pursuing qualification for the Olympic Games and/or are included in the High Performance and Talent Planning of the Cyprus Sports Organization.
The entry and/or exit of any person into and from the reception, hospitality and detention centres for asylum seekers are prohibited, save the entry of new-arriving asylum seekers.
Provided that the entry into and/or exit from the said centres are permitted for the workers and exceptionally the entry and exit are permitted for humanitarian and/or medical reasons and/or for other serious reasons, such as for the purpose of having access to the Court, upon a relevant permit by the Minister of the Interior.
2.3 (i) It is prohibited the enter the Republic from illegal entry points and to this end the competent monitoring authorities implement the necessary measures;
(ii) Any person arriving on and/or entering illegally the territory of the Republic shall remain in areas of compulsory isolation (quarantine) designated by the Republic for 14 days from arrival:
Provided that asylum seekers, who enter, are placed and/or obliged to stay in reception, hospitality and/or detention centres for asylum seekers, are instead placed in areas of mandatory isolation (quarantine) for 14 days, before coming into any contact with those already staying there and the relevant medical protocol shall be observed for each case.
2.4 The operation of passenger short sea vessels, recreational vessels, vessels for the transport of divers, private vessels and water sports businesses shall be governed by the health and safety guidelines issued by the Deputy Ministry of Shipping.
2.5 The enterprises serving the public, as well as the offices of the public sector, the wider public sector and the Local Authorities serving the public should take the necessary measures to indicate the minimum distance of 2 meters that has to be observed by the citizens, both inside and outside the premises, provided that not more than 1 person per 10 sqm may be simultaneously at the same place, i.e. the service area, including the staff. Moreover, they should observe the health and safety measures according to the guidelines issued by the Ministries of Health and Labour, Social Welfare and Social Insurance.
2.6 Where there is a case of Covid-19 in any private office and/or business and/or in any service of the public service and/or of the wider public service and/or in local authorities, they are obliged to suspend their operation immediately and proceed to the disinfection of the area before resuming their operation:
Provided that the whole personnel shall leave the place until the completion of the disinfection and the reoperation of the place. According to the guidelines of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, found on https://www.pio.gov.cy/coronavirus/press/3042020_2.pdf, the area must be disinfected with an approved disinfectant by licensed users of viricidal products. Following disinfection, the area must remain closed for at least three (3) hours then the doors open for approximately 30 minutes for ventilation purposes, before the staff enters the premises, with the exception of the close contacts of the case, who will result from the tracing and shall be self-isolated.
2.7 For the purposes of monitoring the implementation of the Quarantine Law, Cap. 260 and of the Decrees issued by virtue thereof, the following officers are designated in cooperation with the Cyprus Police:
(a) the public health officers of the Public Health Services, Department of Medical and Public Health Services, Ministry of Health;
(b) the officers of the Department of Agriculture and Forests and of the Veterinary Services, Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment;
(c) the ship inspectors of the Deputy Ministry of Shipping;
(d) the officers of the Deputy Ministry of Tourism;
(e) the officers of the Consumer Protection Service, Ministry if Energy, Commerce and Industry;
(f) the officers of the Ministry of Labour, Welfare and Social Insurance and of its Departments/Services;
(g) the officers of Game and Wildlife Service, Ministry of Interior;
(h) the traffic wardens of each Municipality.
2.8 The use of protective face mask is mandatory for all persons over twelve (12) years old, indoors where there are more than one person and outdoors where there are more than two persons with the exception of the cases specified by the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health.
2.9 The entry into the Republic is permitted to persons, regardless of nationality, from countries of category A and B, according to the categorisation of countries based on the risk estimate, as announced by the Ministry of Health and on the following terms:
(a) for passengers from countries of category A molecular testing for COVID-19 is not required;
(b) passengers from countries of category Β, must produce a proof of negative molecular COVID-19 testing valid 72 hours before departure, from a certified laboratory
(c) passengers from countries of category Β, where it is documented that the authorities of the country do not provide molecular COVID-19 testing service, may be tested upon their arrival in the Republic at their own expenses and should be self-isolated until they receive the results;
(d) those who fall into the following categories and enter the Republic from countries of category B, may undergo a molecular COVID-19 test upon arrival in the Republic at their own expenses and should be self-isolated until they receive the results:
(i) Cypriot citizens, their alien spouses and minor children;
(ii) all persons residing legally in the Republic;
(e) persons arriving at the Republic and are tested positive for COVID-19, shall remain in self-isolation and the medical protocol of the Ministry of Health shall be observed.
2.10 (a) The entry into the Republic is permitted to the following category of persons coming from countries which do not fall into the categories A and B, according to the categorisation of countries based on the risk assessment, as announced by the Ministry of Health and on the following terms:
(i) Cypriot citizens residing in the Republic, their alien spouses and minor children;
(ii) all persons residing legally in the Republic;
(iii) persons, regardless of nationality, whose presence in the Republic, due to their professional or scientific capacity, is approved by the competent medical body to reinforce the efforts against COVID-19;
(iv) patients, regardless of nationality, who received treatment by an approved private or public hospital/medical centre in the Republic and it is appropriate to continue such treatment; and
(v) first-degree relatives of persons residing in the Republic and/or who are doing business in the Republic (spouse, children, parents) for reunion purposes.
(b) A permit to enter the Republic is approved for persons designated in point (v) after applying to the Commission appointed by the Council of Ministers in its session of 17 June 2020.
(c) The entry into the Republic of persons designated in points (i) to (v) of paragraph (a) is subject to the following terms:
(i) the passenger may either have a negative molecular COVID-19 test performed 72 hours before departure and present the relevant proof, either be tested upon arrival in the Republic at his/her own expenses and should be self-isolated for 14 days unless the provisions of paragraph 2.21 are observed;
(ii) all passengers coming to the Republic and tested positive for COVID-19 should be placed in compulsory confinement for 14 days and the medical protocol of the Ministry of Health shall be observed;
(iii) the cost of the air ticket, if any, is paid by the passenger with the exception of persons who have been sent abroad for medical reasons by the Republic, as well as those falling within paragraph 2.10(a)(iii).
2.11 The entry into and/or departure from the Republic is permitted to crew members of merchant vessels or crew members of oil rigs conducting research drilling works in the Exclusive Economic Zones of States with which the Republic has established diplomatic relations, or crew members of cruise ships or crew members of recreational craft, who either come to the ports of the Republic, or arrive by commercial or other flights, from countries which do not belong to the categories A and B, according to the categorisation of countries based on the risk estimate, as announced by the Ministry of Health and on the following terms:
(i) before arrival, these persons shall be self-isolated for 14 days;
(i) have a negative molecular COVID-19 test performed before arrival and present the relevant proof or if this is not possible upon arrival and if they are tested positive, they remain in compulsory confinement and the medical protocol of the Ministry of Health shall be observed; and
(i) their company and/or the agent who has undertaken the crew change, shall undertake to transport the crew directly from the ship to the airport and the transport of the crews arriving by plane from the airport to the port of departure, under strict protection measures. If the arrival of the ship and the arrival of the flight are not synchronised or if the results of the molecular tests are pending the company and/or the agent shall make the necessary arrangements with the authorities for the crews to be quarantined in designated accommodations until the arrival of the flight or vessel. Where possible, the crew to be disembarked shall remain aboard until the date of flight:
Provided that for those who are already working as crew members of ships that enter the Cypriot ports and will depart from the Republic, only paragraph 2.11(iii) applies.
2.12 The entry into and residency in the Republic are permitted to seamen and crew members of vessels entering the ports of the Republic, on the following terms:
(a) for vessels coming to the Republic from countries of category A and provided that they have not entered during the previous 14 days the port of a country of category A, seamen and crew members do not have to undergo a molecular COVID-19 test;
(b) for vessels coming to the Republic from countries of category B and provided that they have not entered during the previous 14 days the port of a country of category A and B, according to the categorisation, seamen and crew members should produce a certificate of negative molecular COVID-19 test valid 72 hours before the departure of the vessel or the said persons shall undergo a molecular test at the port and remain aboard until they receive the results;
(c) for vessels coming to the Republic from countries that do not fall into the categories A and B, seamen and crew members must:
(i) have been quarantined for 14 days and filled in the relevant form issued by the Ministry of Transports, Communications and Works, as part of the protocol for the crew change;
(ii) undergo a molecular COVID-19 test when they disembark;
(iii remain aboard or in places of compulsory confinement until they receive the result of the test:
(d) if the persons referred to in paragraphs (a) to (c) above, are diagnosed positive for COVID-19, they shall remain in compulsory confinement and the medical protocol of the Ministry of Health shall be observed; and
(e) for the molecular testing, the transport and the isolation until the results of the test are received for these persons, the procedures provided for in paragraph 2.11 shall apply mutatis mutandis.
2.13 The entry into the Republic is permitted to persons from countries not falling into the categories A and B, regardless of nationality, for carrying out public works or for business purposes, upon the approval by the Commission appointed by the Council of Ministers in its session of 17 June 2020, on the following terms:
(a) if their stay in the Republic does not exceed 4 days:
(i) these persons must undergo a molecular COVID-19 test unless they produce a certificate of negative molecular COVID-19 test valid 72 hours before their departure;
(ii) if the molecular test is performed upon their arrival, these persons must remain in areas of compulsory confinement until they receive the result of the test;
(iii) if they are diagnosed positive for COVID-19, they shall remain in compulsory confinement and the medical protocol of the Ministry of Health shall be observed; and
(iv) these persons shall take protection measures and measures to protect themselves at their place of accommodation.
(b) If their stay in the Republic exceeds 4 days:
(i) these persons must undergo a molecular COVID-19 test unless they produce a certificate of negative molecular COVID-19 test valid 72 hours before their departure;
(ii) if the molecular test is performed upon their arrival, these persons must remain in areas of compulsory confinement until they receive the result of the test;
(iii) if they are diagnosed positive for COVID-19, they shall remain in compulsory confinement and the medical protocol of the Ministry of Health shall be observed; and
(iv) these persons shall remain in compulsory confinement for 14 days unless the provisions of paragraph 2.21 are observed.
2.14 The following applies to those coming legally to the Republic from the legal maritime entry points:
(i) for recreational craft coming to the Republic from countries of category A, passengers do not have to undergo molecular COVID-19 test or produce a certificate of negative molecular test;
(ii) for recreational craft coming to the Republic from countries of category B, passengers must produce a certificate of negative molecular COVID-19 test valid 72 hours before the departure of the craft or undergo a molecular COVID-19 test at the berthing area and in this case they must remain aboard until they receive the results;
(iii) for recreational craft that come from countries not falling into the categories A and B and have not entered during the previous 14 days as of their arrival any port or they have entered ports of countries of category A and B, the people aboard must undergo a molecular COVID-19 test upon their arrival at the berthing area and remain aboard until they receive the results; and
(iv) the persons of categories (i) and (iii) coming to the Republic and are diagnosed positive for COVID-19 shall remain in compulsory confinement and the medical protocol of the Ministry of Health shall be observed:
Provided that the operators of the legal maritime entry points shall ensure that the persons aboard observe the above provisions.
2.15 The entry into the Republic is permitted to persons from countries not falling into category A and B, as announced by the Ministry of Health, who have obtained in advance a work permit as housekeepers, agricultural and farm workers and for any other employment in the Republic from the competent Ministries and Departments and upon approval by the Commission appointed by the Council of Ministers in its session of 17 June 2020, on the following terms:
(a) the special entry permit is granted based on the order in which applications are submitted, which is recorded in an electronic register kept by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
(b) employers pay in advance the cost of accommodation for the above persons for their compulsory confinement in hotels and/or tourist accommodation units with which the Deputy Ministry of Tourism has entered into contract, as well as the cost of two molecular COVID-19 tests (one test upon arrival and a repeat test on the 10th day of the compulsory confinement) and the compulsory confinement shall terminate provided that the result of the molecular test is negative:
Provided that the overall incurred cost prepaid by the employers is determined by the Council of Ministers, and
(c) employees falling within the provisions of paragraph 2.15 shall pay their cost of transport to the said tourist accommodation units.
2.16 The persons who are entitled to come to the Republic according to the Treaty of Vienna and arrive from countries other than those of category A, shall either undergo a molecular COVID-19 test that has to be negative and valid 72 hours before their departure or undergo a molecular test upon their arrival and remain in a designated area until they receive their result.
2.17 (a) All persons, regardless of their country of departure, travelling to the Republic and falling within the provisions of paragraphs 2.9 to 2.16 of this Decree, should fill in electronically and within 24 hours before the commencement of their trip all information, details and declarations requested, according to the procedures provided for on www.cyprusflightpass.gov.cy and hold the CyprusFlightPass prior to boarding and upon their arrival in the Republic.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a), in case of a technical problem or maintenance of the website www.cyprusflightpass.gov.cy, which is officially announced by the Civil Aviation Department, the passenger may fill in the form in writing.
(c) Passengers arriving in the Republic without the CyprusFlightPass, electronically or in writing only in case of the reasons stated in paragraph (b), are committing an offence and must pay a fine of €300.00 under the Out-of-court Settlement of Offences Laws of 1997 to (No 3) 2020, unless they do not enter the Republic and return to the initial country of departure.
(d) Passengers arriving in the Republic from countries of category A without the CyprusFlightPass, shall be treated as passengers from countries of category B and in addition to the payment of a fine of €300.00 they must undergo a molecular COVID-19 test at the respective airport of the Republic at their own expenses and be self-isolated until they receive the result.
(e) Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraphs (a) to (d), the coordinators of delegation of sports teams traveling with charter flight for events within the context of European and international championships, are obliged to present the list with all the names of the delegation stating the date and the result of the molecular COVID-19 test.
(f) Referees participating in European and/or international championships, travelling from and to the Republic, under the guidelines of the Ministry of Health
2.18 (a)Asylum seekers who enter and/or are placed and/or are obliged to stay in reception, hospitality and/or detention centres for asylum seekers, should undergo a molecular COVID-19 test before entering these centres.
(b) The laboratory COVID-19 tests are performed and/or repeated for any asylum seeker staying in the hospitality and/or detention centre whenever the Head of the Asylum Service may think appropriate.
2.19 (a) All new inmates shall undergo molecular COVID-19 test before being admitted to any detention centre and/or prison.
(b) The laboratory COVID-19 tests are performed and/or repeated for any inmate whenever the Director of the Prison Department and/or the Head of Detention Centres and/or the Chief of Police and/or any other person in charge of the detention centres may think appropriate.
2.20 (a) Entities and persons working at the ports of the Republic, including passengers and staff, who enter and move inside the port areas of the Republic, shall observe the Medical Protocol of the ports of the Republic, as well as the guidelines and measures issued by the Minister of Transports, Communications and Works and the Minister of Health, as amended from time to time, for preventing the spread of COVID-19 in the Republic. The Operator of the Airports of the Republic is responsible to ensure their uniform implementation by all those working and providing services to the airports of the Republic.
(b) Air companies shall observe the Medical Protocol of the airports of the Republic, as well as the guidelines and measures issued by the Minister of Transports, Communications and Works and the Minister of Health, as amended from time to time, regarding the procedures applied by the airports of the Republic for preventing the spread of COVID-19.
(c) It is prohibited for the airlines to permit passengers traveling to the Republic who do not possess the CyprusFlightPass to board the aircraft, unless there are reasons stated in paragraph 2.17(b).
2.21 Persons placed in self-isolation according to paragraphs 2.10 and 2.13(b), shall either undergo a molecular COVID-19 test on the 10th day of their self-isolation at their own expenses and the quarantine is terminated provided that the result is negative or released on the 14th day of quarantine provided that they are not positive for COVID-19 according to the guidelines of the Ministry of Health.
2.22 Any person placed in compulsory confinement and self-isolation should:
(i) remain inside the place of accommodation, unless he/she receives instructions from his/her physician or an authorised public health officer to go to a medical centre;
(ii) maintain a distance of at least 2 meters from other persons;
(iii) not accept visits at the place of accommodation:
Provided that these persons are obliged to comply with the directives of the Ministry of Health issued from time to time and notified and/or published in relation to the procedure of compulsory confinement and/or self-isolation.
2.23 (a) The entry of any person into places of compulsory confinement is prohibited without authorisation by the Minister of Health or by an authorised officer of the Ministry of Health.
(b) It is forbitten for everyone without the authorisation by the Minister of Health or by an authorised officer of the Ministry of Health to approach within a distance of less than two meters any person who is a confirmed case of COVID-19 or in compulsory confinement or in self-isolation.
2.24 Subject to the legislation in force from time to time in the Republic providing otherwise, the persons who are in places of compulsory confinement designated by the Republic or/and in self-isolation, may by telephone interview with any physician ask for repeat prescription of medicines for chronic diseases provided that:
(i) they take pharmaceutical products for chronic diseases that are not related to the symptoms of the COVID-19 infection;
(ii) the stock of pharmaceutical products that have with them is running low or is not sufficient for their treatment for the time they will spend in areas of compulsory confinement and/or in self-isolation;
(iii) for any reason whatsoever, they are not able to call their personal physician or a specialty doctor to repeat prescription or/and they are not registered with a personal physician who has entered into a contract with the Health Insurance Organisation or/and they are not beneficiaries of the General Health System.
Provided that the physicians who are contacted by telephone by these persons:
(i) must take the most recent, under the circumstances, history of the person communicating with him;
(ii) issue the prescription with the necessary pharmaceutical products, the relevant instructions for their administration and the necessary posology of the medicine(s) for the whole period of time during which the patient shall remain in places of compulsory confinement or in self-isolation, provided that they consider that the history taken is sufficient and satisfactory;
(iii) in case they have entered into a contract with the Health Insurance Organisation and the persons who are in a place of compulsory confinement or in self-isolation are beneficiaries of the General Health System, should enter the prescription to the relevant software so the pharmacy can retrieve it and give the pharmaceutical products to a person acting on behalf of the person who is in a place of compulsory confinement or in self-isolation;
(iv) in case they have not entered into a contract with the Health Insurance Organisation or the persons who are in a place of compulsory confinement or in self-isolation are not beneficiaries of the General Health System, they should issue a handwritten prescription and make the necessary arrangements so the prescription can be received by the person acting on behalf of the person who is in quarantine in order to be processed by a pharmacy;
(v) must inform the physician who has issued the initial prescription within a reasonable period of time.
Provided further that the pharmaceutical products prescribed could contain pharmaceutical products containing controlled drugs under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law or which are included in the Second, Third or Fourth Schedule of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Regulations provided that the provisions of Regulation 11 of the said Regulations are observed.
2.25 (a) All physicians registered in the Medical Register at the moment of entry into force of this Decree, shall observe the instructions of the Ministry of Health and execute the duties assigned to them.
(b) All nurses registered in the Medical Register at the moment of entry into force of this Decree, shall observe the instructions of the Ministry of Health and execute the duties assigned to them
(c) The names of physicians and nurses receiving instructions shall be announced on a board on the website of the Ministry of Health, www.moh.gov.cy or/and update in another way decided by the Ministry of Health.
(d) The persons who shall receive instructions shall appear at a time specified on the board or/and during their briefing, which time should not be less than 24 hours as of the time of announcement on the board or/and of the briefing and at a place determined in each case in order to perform the duties assigned to them.
2.26 The Minister of Health may use the services of graduate students of Medical Schools of 4 or 6-year courses of study from the Cypriot universities, as well as the services of graduate students of Nursing Schools if and where deemed necessary.
2.27 The Ministry of Health may designate public or private areas where there is an increased gathering of people to perform COVID-19 sampling tests.
2.28 The boarding and transport of persons on local flights are permitted on the following terms:
(a) For technical flights in a multi-crew aircraft, the maximum number of people aboard shall be three, i.e. a two-member crew and an aircraft mechanic;
(b) for technical flights in a single crew aircraft the maximum number of persons aboard shall be two, i.e. a pilot and an aircraft mechanic;
(c)for training flights the maximum number of persons aboard shall be two, i.e. an instructor and a student;
(d) training flights shall be regulated (specific number of flights per hour) which shall be reviewed according to the epidemiological data, based on a programme issued by the Air Traffic Control Reporting Office of the Civil Aviation Department at Larnaca Airport, notified to the flight schools;
(e) the use of protective masks and gloves is mandatory during local flights;
(f) the disinfection of the aircraft is mandatory before every local flight.
