As of Monday, 26 April 2021, at 5 a.m. until Sunday, 9 May 2021, at midnight, the following measures will be in force:

1. Movement is prohibited from 9 p.m. until 5 am of the following day except in the following cases:
• Moving to and from the workplace and for working purposes using the “Confirmation for Employee’s Movement” Form.
• Going to a Medical Centre or a Hospital or a pharmacy or a veterinarian.

2. Meetings, public gatherings or social events, irrespective of venue (private or public space), indoors or outdoors (e.g. squares, dams, picnic areas, marinas) are prohibited.

3. By way of exception and only for Easter Sunday (2 May), in addition to permanent residents, persons from only two families may be present in houses, provided that the total number of persons in the house does not exceed 10 persons, including minors.

4. Only one movement is allowed per person per day via a text message to 8998. Movement for vaccination purposes against COVID-19, does not require a text message.

5. Church and other forms of religious worship in religious places will be performed without the presence of believers.

6. Religious ceremonies (weddings, christenings, funerals) with a maximum of 10 persons are allowed.

7. The presence of believers in places of religious worship is permitted for the purpose of individual prayer and with a maximum number of 10 persons present at the same time.

8. The presence of believers in the courtyard of the temples is permitted only for Holy Saturday (May 1st), in compliance with the measure of distancing and the health protocol applicable to the operation of the churches, and provided that arrangements will be made for believers to be seated. Inside the temples, only on Holy Saturday the presence of up to 50 people is allowed, on the basis of the protocol. On all other days of Holy Week, the presence of believers in places of religious worship is prohibited either indoors or outdoors.

9. On Holy Saturday (May 1st), to facilitate the participation of believers in the Resurrection Mass, the curfew begins at 1 a.m. (Holy Saturday to Easter Sunday) instead of 9 p.m. Saturday night. On all other days, the curfew begins at 9 p.m.

10. Remote work in public service is a compulsory for at least 20 % of the staff, with the exception of essential and other services, which will be defined by a Decree.

11. For private service providers the simultaneous physical presence of 20% of the staff is allowed, with a minimum number of three employees and a maximum of 25 employees per professional practice/legal entity.

12. Increase of the mandatory rate of rapid testing on a weekly basis to 50% of employees. It is understood that businesses/services that will have a physical presence of up to five (5) persons, testing is mandatory for all five persons.

13. The operation of all restaurants (restaurants, tavernas, cafes, beer bars, snack bars and bars, cafeterias and dining areas in shopping centres, canteens and/or sports clubs, cultural centres, clubs, unions, etc.) is suspended, with the exception of the services related to delivery and take away. It is understood that after 9 p.m. only home delivery is allowed.

14. The operation of open and closed theatres, amphitheatres, cinemas and event venues is suspended.

15. The operation of retailers, other than retailers of beverages and food, or sales of essentials as defined in the Decree, is suspended.

16. The operation of gyms, dance schools and other sports schools is suspended. Personal training is allowed in open spaces, where access is allowed on the basis of the Decree with a maximum number of two persons present.

17. The operation of gambling and betting shops is suspended.

18. The operation of barber shops, hair salons and beauty institutes is suspended.

19. All group tutorials, as well as sports and social activities for children under the age of 18 are prohibited. It is understood that distance learning and teaching with a physical presence of up to two persons, including the teacher/trainer (1+
1) are permitted.

As of 10 May 2021, the above measures are lifted and the arrangements in force are reinstated, provided that in places where there is a gathering (dining areas, meeting places, gyms, retail shops, theatres, etc.), the visitor should carry a rapid test or PCR valid for 72 hours or have been vaccinated with at least the 1st dose of the vaccine three weeks before or to have been infected by the Covid-19 during the last three months. The adoption of the above regulation will allow for easier and safer movement and return to normality.

23.04.2021

Entry into the country

Q1: How will travelers be able to enter the country?

Cyprus is following a colour-coded system harmonized with ECDC evaluation standards. Therefore, only countries not included on ECDC lists, will be evaluated separately by the Cyprus government. Below are the entry requirements when somebody is traveling to Cyprus.

1. Persons traveling from GREEN countries will not need to demonstrate a negative PCR test for COVID-19 when traveling to Cyprus; they only need to provide certain information and solemn

1. Persons traveling from ORANGE countries are required to undergo a molecular test at a certified lab, with the sample taken during the last 72 hours prior to flight departure, and upload a certificate that demonstrates a negative PCR for COVID-19, on the Cyprus Flight Pass Platform. Children who arrive in Cyprus before their 12th birthday, are exempted from testing. All travelers will also need to provide certain information and solemn

The following persons will be allowed to enter the Republic of Cyprus, having undergone a lab test at their own expense, upon entry to the Republic of  Cyprus:

1. Cypriot citizens and members of their families (foreign spouses and children)
2. Legal residents of the Republic
3. Passengers entitled to enter the Republic under the Vienna Convention
4. Persons in countries where the authorities duly substantiate and following an announcement by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Cyprus, are not in a position to offer Covid-19 testing to those wishing to

• Persons traveling from RED countries are required to undergo a molecular test at a certified lab, with the sample taken during the last 72 hours prior to flight departure, and upload a certificate that demonstrates a negative PCR for COVID-19, on the Cyprus Flight Pass Platform. They will also need to pay for and undergo a molecular PCR test upon arrival to Cyprus, the cost of which is 30 Euros at Larnaca airport and 32 Euros at Paphos airport; results of the test will be available within 3 hours, and will be shared with the traveler by SMS after his or her departure from the airport. Only children who arrive in Cyprus before their 12th birthday, are exempted from testing. All travelers will also need to provide certain information and solemn

The following persons will be allowed to enter the Republic of Cyprus having undergone a lab test at their own expense, upon entry to the Republic of Cyprus:

1. Cypriot citizens and members of their families (foreign spouses and children)
2. Legal residents of the
3. Passengers entitled to enter to the Republic under the Vienna Convention These persons may choose to undergo only one lab test, namely upon their arrival to Cyprus, but must then remain in a status of obligatory self-isolation for a  minimum of  72 hours from  the time  of  their                          After  the  72 hour self- isolation, they must undergo a second PCR test for Covid-19, again at their own expense. They are released from self-isolation after a negative test result which must be submitted to the electronic address [email protected]

1. Persons traveling from GREY countries are required to undergo a molecular test at a certified lab, with the sample taken during the last 72 hours prior to flight departure, and upload a certificate that demonstrates a negative PCR for COVID-19, on the Cyprus Flight Pass Platform. In addition, they will remain in a status of obligatory self-isolation / quarantine for fourteen (14) days or a status of obligatory self-isolation / quarantine for ten (10) days, provided they undergo another PCR test for Covid-19 on the 10th day, at their own expense. The result of the lab test must be submitted to the electronic address [email protected]. Children who arrive in Cyprus before their 12th birthday, are exempted from testing. All travelers will also need to provide  certain information and solemn

Travel from GREY countries, is allowed only for:

• Cypriot citizens and their family members (spouses and children)
• Persons legally residing in the Republic of Cyprus
• EU citizens, citizens of European Economic Area (including Iceland,

Lichtenstein, Norway) and Switzerland

• Persons allowed to enter the Republic of Cyprus in accordance with the Vienna Convention
• Citizens of third countries, provided they obtain prior special permission from the Republic of Cyprus, as defined under the Infectious Diseases Decree (N.2/2021 8.1.21), as amended. The application for a Special Permission must be submitted on the Cyprus Flight Pass Platform (https://cyprusflightpass.gov.cy/en/special-permission).

Note: European Union citizens, citizens of European Economic Area (including Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway), citizens of Switzerland and citizens of third countries, must undergo a molecular test prior to departure, as stipulated above. The other categories of passengers have the choice of either taking the test prior to their departure or taking it upon entry to the Republic of Cyprus, at their own expense.

1. The full list of categorized countries can be found on cyprusflightpass.gov.cy). Travelers should constantly visit this platform in order to remain up to date about possible changes that may affect their trip.

Q2: What other documentation is necessary for traveling to Cyprus?

1. A ‘Cyprus Flight Pass’ is available on the website cyprusflightpass.gov.cy, which can be accessed and filled in electronically. All passengers traveling to the Republic of Cyprus need to fill in and submit in advance, all required information and documents; use of the platform is obligatory for anyone who wishes to fly to the Republic of Cyprus. ONLY in the event of a technical problem or scheduled maintenance of the electronic platform (officially announced on the electronic platform) will passengers be allowed to fill in the required forms, in writing. These can be downloaded from https://cyprusflightpass.gov.cy/en/download-forms. In this case, travelers have to carry with them, in paper form, the required documentation.
2. The flight pass will include the following points: a) personal information of the passenger, b) declaration whether or not a person has traveled to/from/through or stayed/lived in a country with less favourable epidemiological criteria compared to the country of departure within 14 days before their arrival to the Republic of Cyprus, c) confirmation that a person has not experienced one of the following symptoms – fever, cough, fatigue, headache, muscle or body aches, loss of taste or smell, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, sore throat, congestion or runny nose within the last 14 days or he/she has not been in close contact with a COVID- 19 confirmed case within the last 14 days, d) disclaimer that travel is taking place at a person’s own responsibility, and that the Republic of Cyprus or businesses operating within it, cannot be held liable for infection at any point during the travel process, e) disclaimer that upon return to their country of origin, a person will notify the Health Authorities of Cyprus, should they display COVID-19 disease in the 14 days after leaving the island, f) request form for citizens of third countries travelling from Grey Category Countries, wishing to acquire special permission, by  submitting their requests electronically through the following link: https//cyprusflightpass.gov.cy/el/special-permission-request.
3. Airlines will not permit passengers to board the aircraft and travel to the Republic of Cyprus without a Cyprus Flight Pass (however, checking the validity of the information included in the Cyprus Flight Pass by travelers is NOT an obligation of the airlines). Any travelers arriving to the Republic of Cyprus without a Cyprus Flight Pass, will be subject to a fine of 300 Euros.

Q3: What procedures are in place for persons who have been vaccinated for COVID-19?

For persons traveling from certain countries, a vaccination certificate will be accepted as an additional facilitator for travel. Dates of implementation may vary for each country, so travelers should follow public announcements made by the Cyprus Government.

Travelers from these countries, who can prove that they have received the required doses of an authorized vaccine, will not be required to undergo any tests to  visit Cyprus. Moreover, they will not be placed in quarantine. The Republic of Cyprus still reserves the right to randomly test any arriving flight, and this will include vaccinated travelers as well. Moreover, all other destination protocols need to be implemented by everyone, including vaccinated travelers.

Prior to travel, a copy of the vaccination certificate (in English) must be uploaded onto the Cyprus Flight Pass platform and certain vaccination details must be provided. Verification of the certificate’s authenticity, is the sole responsibility of border control services in the country of departure. The traveler is responsible and personally liable  for provision of untruthful information, and in such a case, will be subject to penalties upon arrival to Cyprus.

Q4: What criteria is taken into consideration by the Cyprus government, for the categorization of countries which do not feature on ECDC lists?

In order to categorize the specific countries, a panel of experts considers amongst others, the same criteria used by ECDC for the production of the lists (daily number of performed tests per 100,000 population, cumulative 14-day impact per 100,000 population, positivity rate, testing rate).

Travel protocols

Q5: What protocols can be expected on airplanes?

1. Prior to boarding, travelers will need to show their ‘Cyprus Flight Pass’
2. Travelers’ temperature may possibly be taken prior to boarding
3. Wearing of masks is compulsory during the flight

Q6: What other protocols can be expected in Cyprus airports/port terminals?

1. Entrance or passage will only be allowed to travelers and staff
2. Travelers will have their temperature taken in the terminal
3. Wearing of masks is compulsory in all areas

Destination protocols

Q7: Are there any general protocols that will apply to the whole destination?

1. Enhanced health, safety and hygiene protocols have been devised for all hospitality establishments, and extensive training of staff has taken place prior to the destination opening for
2. Physical distancing measures are followed in all parts of the destination, so that people who do not belong to the same travel group maintain a reasonable distance from each other (the minimum area occupied per person should be 2 sq. meters outdoors, and 3 sq. meters indoors).
3. Frequent ventilation is taking place in all indoor areas, so that air conditioning can be enhanced with regular input of fresh
4. Antibacterial gel is available in all establishments, at entrances, reception areas, lounges, public toilets, lifts
5. Use of masks is compulsory in all indoor areas (taxis, buses, diving/safari jeeps, lifts, theatres, malls, etc.) and outdoor public places. Areas where people are seated whilst consuming food and beverage are excluded (restaurants, coffee- shops, bars, snack-bars, lobby bars, etc.). Also exempted are beaches,   swimming

pools and instances where persons are exercising. In any case, travelers should always consult the Visit Cyprus website for the latest information on this matter, as procedures are likely to change at very short notice.

Q8: Buses/rental vehicles/taxis/diving and safari jeeps

1. Frequent ventilation and disinfection of buses
2. Disinfection of rental vehicles after their return (including keys)
3. Disinfection of all touch points after every route, for taxis and diving/safari jeeps (door handles, seats )
4. Capacity of tour buses is allowed at 100%

Q9: Archaeological sites, museums, theme parks, mini cruises, diving sites, water sports

Disinfection of all touch points after every use (artifacts, touch screens, rides, door handles, seats, diving equipment, water sports equipment etc.)

Q10: Swimming pools, beaches and water parks

1. Disinfection of sun beds, umbrellas and personal safe boxes after every use
2. Distance of 4m between umbrellas and 2m between sunbeds of persons not belonging to the same group
3. Physical distancing will not apply to life guards who are called into urgent life-saving action

Q11: Accommodation establishments

1. Use of masks and carrying out of appropriate hand hygiene, for all front-of-house staff; for housekeeping staff gloves are also compulsory
2. Dispersion of guests at ‘group check-in’
3. Rooms will not be allocated to new arrivals, unless enough time has passed since the previous occupants left, for appropriate cleaning, disinfection and aeriation
4. Disinfection of room keys/cards after every departure
5. Where food or drink is displayed on self-service stations, appropriate sneeze guards or face masks are availed, and hand disinfection stations are installed; alternatively, items could be served directly by the staff
6. The minimum area occupied between persons not belonging to the same party, is 2 square meters outdoors, and 3 square meters

Q12: Restaurants, bars, cafes, pubs and night clubs

1. Use of masks and carrying out of appropriate hand hygiene, for all back-of-house and front-of-house staff
2. The maximum party size is set at 8 persons per table. In any case, travelers should always consult the Visit Cyprus website for the latest information on this matter, as procedures are likely to change at very short
3. The minimum area occupied between persons not belonging to the same party, is 2 square meters outdoors, and 3 square meters indoors

1. Menus are disinfected after every use, unless they are disposable; alternatively they will be displayed at various communal points of the establishment, or made available digitally
2. Guests are encouraged to pay by card and not by cash
3. Disinfection of all touch points is carried out after each use e.g. chairs, tables, salt/pepper mills, sauce bottles, electronic payment machines
4. An information sheet is made available at the entrance, displaying the maximum number of guests allowed in place at any given time

Testing and quarantine procedures at the destination

Q13: Is random testing going to be done at destination level?

Entire flights are randomly asked to undergo a COVID-19 test upon arrival, irrespective of where they flew from. Children who arrive in Cyprus before their 12th birthday, are exempted. The cost in such cases is borne by the Cyprus government.

Q14: How will we deal with travelers who test positive during their stay in Cyprus, and what is our capacity to do so? What happens to their close contacts? Who will cover the cost of hospitalization and treatment?

19. The Cyprus government is committed to taking care of all travelers who test positive for coronavirus during their stay, as well as their close contacts. The government will transfer these persons to separate facilities, covering the cost of lodging, food, drink, and medication; the traveler will only need to bear the cost of their airport transfer and repatriation flight, in collaboration with their agent and/or airline. Using separate facilities will not only ensure that patients are properly taken care of, but it will also provide peace of mind to other travelers, that their accommodation establishment is free of COVID-19. Should an establishment be found to host a person who has tested positive for coronavirus, it will thus not be ordered into a 14-day
20. More specifically, a COVID-19 hospital with a surplus of beds has been made available exclusively for travelers who test positive for coronavirus, and these can be increased at very short notice if required. If travelers show critical symptoms, a significant number of intensive care units and respirators are available for their treatment.
21. In addition, 300 rooms in dedicated quarantine-hotels are available for close contacts of persons who test positive for coronavirus, and again these can be increased at very short notice if

Q15: What is the definition of a close contact?

1. A close contact is defined as ‘somebody who has come within very close physical contact of a person who has tested positive for coronavirus’ i.e. at a distance of less than 2m for more than 15 minutes. This may include for example, persons from the same family, co-travelers sharing the same room or even persons greeting each other by using physical
2. According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), for confirmed cases of COVID-19 it is recommended that contact tracing from an airplane, includes passengers seated two seats in all directions around the index case.

Q16: What is the quarantine duration for close contacts?

The normal duration of quarantine is 14 days. If a traveler tests negative on day 7, the quarantine period ends immediately (test should be PCR and the cost borne by the individual). The duration of quarantine can be reduced further if a traveler has an  earlier return flight; in such a case, the patient needs to test negative for coronavirus  on the day prior to their departure. Note that during the quarantine period, it is mandatory for the traveler to self-isolate in their room at all times.

Further information

Q17: How can travelers be kept up-to-date with the latest developments, and informed about protocols implemented at the destination?

1. A dedicated email address has been set up by the Deputy Ministry of Tourism for this purpose at [email protected]
2. A dedicated team of destination experts will reply to traveler queries on Facebook Messenger (main page facebook.com/VisitCyprus.cy). Additional pages are available in the following countries: UK, DE, RU, SWE, FR, AT, GR, IT, UKR, NED, POL, BEL, ES, CH, ISR.
3. A dedicated call centre has been set up for the assistance of travelers who may have queries regarding the use of the “CyprusFlightPass”. The hours of operation of the help desk will be: Monday- Sunday 08:00- 20:00 Cyprus time

Queries via telephone: Calls within Cyprus: 1474

Calls from abroad: +357 22 285 757

For      queries       in       writing       through       the       e-platform       via      the       link: https://cyprusflightpass.gov.cy/en/contact-us

1. All relevant information will also be made available on the websites visitcyprus.com and www.cyprusflightpass.gov.cy

19.3.2020 (revised version, replaces the version of 5.3.2020)

1 This document is not legally binding and provides only guidance. It has not been formally adopted or endorsed by the European Commission and cannot be regarded as an official position of the European Commission. It only reflects the views of the Commission’s Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers. The authoritative interpretation of Union law remains within the sole remit of the Court of Justice of the European Union.

2 On 16 March 2020, the Commission adopted the Communication “COVID-19: Temporary Restrictions on Non-Essential Travel to the EU”, COM(2020)115 final.

3 Directive (EU) 2015/2302 of the European Parliament and of the Council on package travel and linked travel arrangements, OJ L 326, 11.12.2015, p. 1..

To fight against further spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, national governments have introduced different measures, including travel restrictions and border controls. This has led to mass cancellations of already booked holidays. If you have booked a package tour (i.e. a combination of at least two travel services, e.g. transport and accommodation) and you have not yet left for your trip, consult the travel advice of your national authorities and contact your tour operator or travel agency.

Travel advice is a national competence that is being updated as the situation changes2. The list of EU Member States’ travel advice is available at: https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/travel-advice-list.pdf

According to the Directive on Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements3, the organiser of a package can cancel the trip without penalty if he is prevented from performing the contract because of “unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances”. The organiser must inform the traveller without undue delay about the cancellation (Article 12(3) of the Package Travel Directive).

The traveller can cancel the trip without penalty if there are “unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances occurring at the place of destination or its immediate vicinity and significantly affecting the performance of the package, or which significantly affect the carriage of passengers to the destination” (Article 12(2) of the Package Travel Directive).

‘Unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances’ means a situation beyond the control of the party who invokes such a situation and the consequences of which could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken. Significant risks to human health, such as the outbreak of a serious disease like the COVID-19 at the travel destination or its immediate vicinity usually qualify as such unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances.

The assessment whether those circumstances significantly affect the performance of the package must be made on a case-by-case basis.

An official travel warning of national authorities is an important indicator that the package travel contract can be cancelled due to unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances impacting the performance of the trip. This also applies where public authorities prohibit certain travels or ban 19.3.2020 (revised version, replaces the version of 5.3.2020)

This document is not legally binding and provides only guidance. It has not been formally adopted or endorsed by the European Commission and cannot be regarded as an official position of the European Commission. It only reflects the views of the Commission’s Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers. The authoritative interpretation of Union law remains within the sole remit of the Court of Justice of the European Union.

the movement of persons in a manner that excludes, de facto, the package travel contract to be performed.

Example: If you have booked a city trip in form of a package to a city to which access is restricted or where public life is subject to significant limitations (e.g. closure of tourist attractions or museums), this should give you the right to cancel your trip.

Example: If you or an accompanying family member have a medical condition for which exposure to the COVID-19 is particularly dangerous, you should have the right to cancel your package travel contract if the risk of contamination with COVID-19 at the travel destination or its immediate vicinity is declared high by the competent authorities when such increased risk significantly affects the performance of the package for the traveller(s). Such case may also be covered by your travel insurance.

Hence, it would have to be assessed whether travellers can reasonably be expected to travel to the destination(s) in light of the risk to their health and life. A subjective feeling of fear would not be sufficient.

In those cases, either the organiser or the traveller can cancel the package travel contract.

The traveller has the right to get a full refund of any payments made for the package, within 14 days after termination of the contract.

Having regard to the strains on liquidity of tour operators because of missing new bookings coupled with reimbursement claims, travellers should consider accepting that their package tour is postponed to a later point in time. Having regard to the current uncertainty to make travel plans, that could be done by means of a credit note (so-called “voucher”). However, the traveller should have the possibility to ask for a full refund if, eventually, he or she does not make use of the voucher. Moreover, it should be ensured that the voucher is covered by appropriate insolvency protection.

In any case, before cancelling, we suggest that you contact your tour operator or travel agency.

If you have booked a package tour and you are blocked abroad, your tour operator must provide assistance.

Tour operators have to provide assistance to travellers in difficulty, including by providing information on health services, local authorities and consular assistance, and by assisting to make distance communications and helping to find alternative travel arrangements.

In case the traveller cannot return home as scheduled (e.g. flight cancelled) due to “unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances”, tour operators must bear the cost of accommodation for 19.3.2020 (revised version, replaces the version of 5.3.2020)

This document is not legally binding and provides only guidance. It has not been formally adopted or endorsed by the European Commission and cannot be regarded as an official position of the European Commission. It only reflects the views of the Commission’s Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers. The authoritative interpretation of Union law remains within the sole remit of the Court of Justice of the European Union.

maximum three nights, if the carriage of the traveller back home was part of the package. If you are blocked for more than three days, you may be required to bear the extra costs yourself, unless they are born by another entity. If you miss your return flight because you are put under quarantine by local authorities, you may be entitled to claim compensation for costs related to extended accommodation and repatriation in accordance with national rules on quarantine. Again, please contact your tour operator or local authorities for further information.

Travellers are not entitled to compensation for damages from the tour operator where the lack of conformity of the contract is caused by unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances.

If you want more information about your rights regarding the Package Travel Directive, please consult the Your Europe website on package travel.

This document is not legally binding and provides only guidance. It has not been formally adopted or endorsed by the European Commission and cannot be regarded as an official position of the European Commission. It only reflects the views of the Commission’s Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers. The authoritative interpretation of Union law remains within the sole remit of the Court of Justice of the European Union.

At today’s meeting, the Council of Ministers reviewed the situation as it unfolds given the growing spread of the coronavirus.

Based on the World Health Organization’s data and on the situation as it is unfortunately changing daily, both in Europe and in Cyprus, the Council of Ministers considers that Cyprus is facing a state of emergency.

To this end, in addition to the measures already taken and to everything that was announced in the context of my address last Friday, the following decisions were made with a view to safeguarding public health and ensuring the economic survival of working people, businesses, economically vulnerable groups and the economy at large.

With regard to protecting the population from a further spread of the disease, the following decisions were taken:

1. Entry into the Republic of Cyprus of those persons that I have mentioned in my address, will only be granted to those who, upon their arrival, submit a medical certificate that they have been tested for coronavirus by certified medical centers from their country of origin. Those who fulfil these conditions will be placed under a 14-day compulsory quarantine at accommodation facilities designated by the Republic of Cyprus.

I would like to make absolutely clear that no one will be allowed to enter the Republic of Cyprus unless they meet and accept the above conditions.

 Students who opt to stay in their places of study, will be granted a 750 allowance.

 This decision shall enter into force at 6p.m. on March 16, 2020 and shall apply until April 30, 2020. Our decision shall also apply to those who use the crossing points between the free and the occupied areas, except for purely humanitarian reasons and following approval by the Minister of Interior.

2. It has been decided, initially, to allocate of the amount of 100 million euros for reinforcing the public health sector.
3. To suspend the operations of businesses of the private sector.
4. Assessing the situation as it now stands and on the basis of the decisions already taken, the Government has decided to adopt a comprehensive exceptional financial Support Programme for the working people, the small and medium-sized enterprises and in general of all Cypriot businesses.

The “Support Programme” that has been formulated is structured and specific, both in range as well as in expenditure, and it is valued at 700 million euros, an amount equal to the 3% of the GDP.

Once more, I would like to extend my gratitude to the political parties and our social partners for their contribution to the formation of the Support Programme.

5. With regard to the public sector, the Ministers have been authorized to proceed to the structuring of an emergency operations plan.
6. In relation to the issue of church attendance and the measures decided by the Government, I informed His Beatitude the Archbishop of Cyprus, who, realizing the seriousness of the situation, will make announcements this afternoon.

On behalf of the government, I have given instructions for the interministerial committee to be in constant consultation, while the Cabinet will be ready at any time to take any further decisions that are deemed necessary. 

The times are critical. As I have said in my address, measures alone do not suffice to safeguard public health and its impact. 

What is needed, and I would like to stress this once again, is a sense of responsibility and social solidarity on the part of each and every one individually to deal with the critical situation we are facing. 

We are experiencing a state of emergency and I want to repeat what I have said in my address on Friday: 

I have no doubt that, with the State’s determination and the social sensitivity that as people we have repeatedly demonstrated at critical moments, we will succeed in overcoming this ordeal.

Following up from previous press releases and after an evaluation carried out by the ECDC and the Experts’ Advisory Committee, and in consultation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Health would like to announce updated travel guidelines regarding persons having travelled within the last 14 days and categorizes their countries of origin as follows, in force on Saturday, 14 March 2020:

Category I: Compulsory isolation under medical supervision (quarantine) at home, if possible, or at premises managed by the Ministry of Health for 14 days since their departure from:

– Hubei province, China

– Italy

– Iran

– Republic of Korea

Category II: Self-isolation, under telephone supervision, at home, or at premises managed by the Ministry of Health (avoidance of close contact and travel, adherence to basic hygiene rules, monitoring and reporting of symptoms by contacting the Coronavirus call centre at 1420) for 14 days since their departure from:

– China (excluding Hubei province)

– Japan

– Hong Kong

– Germany

– France

– Spain

– Greece (Prefectures of Achaia, Ilia and Zakynthos)

– Great Britain

– Switzerland

Category III: Self-monitoring (adherence to basic hygiene rules and restriction of traveling unless absolutely necessary) and if symptoms occur, contacting the Coronavirus call centre at 1420, for 14 days since their departure from:

– Greece (excluding Prefectures of Achaia, Ilia and Zakynthos)

– Netherlands

– Sweden

– Belgium

– Singapore

Detailed instructions for people who are in self-isolation or in quarantine can be found here: https://www.pio.gov.cy/coronavirus/. All passengers in categories I and II will be directed to the airport medical centre, while passengers in ports will be confined to their cabins. The guidelines do not apply to travelers carrying out transit flights unless they have resided at the transit stop.

Ministry of Health 12 March 2020

Ταξιδιωτική Οδηγία Υπουργείου Εξωτερικών για την επιδημία Κορωνοϊού COVID 19, Ημερομηνίας 10/03/2020

Ταξιδιωτική Οδηγία: Αποφεύγετε να ταξιδεύετε αν δεν είναι αναγκαίο

Πληροφορίες: Το Υπουργείο Εξωτερικών σε συνέχεια ανάλογων ταξιδιωτικών οδηγιών που έχει ήδη εκδώσει και σχετικών ανακοινώσεων του Υπουργείου Υγείας, επιθυμεί να ενημερώσει τους κύπριους πολίτες οι οποίοι βρίσκονται ή προτίθενται να ταξιδέψουν στο εξωτερικό ότι, λόγω της συνεχιζόμενης μετάδοσης του κορωνοϊού σε διάφορες χώρες, όπως αποφεύγουν κυρίως να ταξιδεύουν σε περιοχές/χώρες που έχουν παρουσιάσει μεγάλο αριθμό κρουσμάτων και γενικότερα να περιορίσουν τα ταξίδια τους στα απαραίτητα.

Μεταξύ των χωρών/περιοχών που παρουσιάζουν μεγάλο αριθμό κρουσμάτων συμπεριλαμβάνεται η Λαϊκή Δημοκρατία της Κίνας (ιδιαίτερα η επαρχία Hubei) και η Ειδική Διοικητική Περιοχή Χονκ Κονγκ, η Δημοκρατία της Κορέας (Ν. Κορέα), το Ιράν, η Ιαπωνία, η Ιταλία και η Σιγκαπούρη.

Σημειώνεται επίσης ότι η Ιταλία έχει εφαρμόσει σε ολόκληρη τη χώρα περιορισμούς στις εσωτερικές μετακινήσεις πολιτών. Η μετακίνηση επιτρέπεται μόνο για συγκεκριμένους λόγους (π.χ. ιατρικούς, επαγγελματικούς, αγορά τροφίμων). Οι ενδιαφερόμενοι πολίτες που επιθυμούν να μετακινηθούν εντός της χώρας πρέπει να αποδείξουν με δήλωση (η οποία παραχωρείται από τις αστυνομικές αρχές) το λόγο μετακίνησης τους. Μέσα μαζικής συγκοινωνίας, αεροδρόμια και λιμάνια λειτουργούν κανονικά.

Περαιτέρω, το Ισραήλ ανακοίνωσε την εφαρμογή προσωρινών απαγορευτικών μέτρων εισόδου αλλοδαπών πολιτών στη χώρα, από την Πέμπτη 12/03/2020 (ώρα 20:00 τοπική), πλην όσων δύναται να δικαιολογήσουν ότι κατέχουν δικαίωμα μόνιμης διαμονής στη χώρα (π.χ. διπλωμάτες, εργαζόμενοι, φοιτητές). Όσων εξ’ αυτών επιτραπεί η είσοδος, θα τίθενται σε 14ήμερο περιορισμό στην κατοικία τους, υπό τον έλεγχο των αρχών της χώρας. Ξενοδοχεία και κοιτώνες δεν θεωρούνται μόνιμες κατοικίες. Από την Πέμπτη 12/03/2020 (ώρα 20:00 τοπική) και εντεύθεν, ημερομηνία εφαρμογής προσωρινών περιοριστικών μέτρων για αλλοδαπούς πολίτες, δεν θα επιτρέπεται η είσοδος στους αλλοδαπούς πολίτες που δεν διαθέτουν δικαίωμα μόνιμης διαμονής (π.χ. τουρίστες, προσκυνητές), ενώ έχει δοθεί διορία για όσους εξ’ αυτών βρίσκονται ήδη στη χώρα να την εγκαταλείψουν μέχρι την εφαρμογή των αναφερόμενων περιοριστικών μέτρων. Τα πιο πάνω περιοριστικά μέτρα θα αναθεωρηθούν σε 14 ημέρες από την εφαρμογή τους. Γίνεται εισήγηση όπως οι ενδιαφερόμενοι παρακολουθούν τις οδηγίες των Ισραηλινών Υπηρεσιών – Υπουργείο Υγείας για τυχόν τροποποιήσεις.

Περαιτέρω πληροφόρηση δύναται να αντληθεί από τις επί μέρους ταξιδιωτικές οδηγίες που το Υπουργείο Εξωτερικών εκδίδει για τις χώρες αυτές.

Σε ότι αφορά τους ταξιδιώτες που αφικνούνται στη Δημοκρατία, προερχόμενοι ή έχουν ταξιδεύσει τις τελευταίες 14 ημέρες από χώρες/περιοχές που αναγράφονται πιο κάτω ανά κατηγορία, το Υπουργείο Υγείας έχει αποφασίσει όπως αυτοί ελέγχονται από τις αρμόδιες Υπηρεσίες του Υπουργείου Υγείας (ερωτηματολόγιο, θερμομέτρηση) κατά την άφιξη τους στην Κύπρο και σε περίπτωση που παρουσιάζουν συμπτώματα που παραπέμπουν σε εκδήλωση της νόσου να ακολουθείται η ενδεδειγμένη ιατρική διερεύνηση. Επιπλέον, το Υπουργείο Υγείας έχει κατηγοριοποιήσει τις χώρες προέλευσής τους ως προς τους ενδεδειγμένους ελέγχους και μέτρα όπως παρακάτω:

Κατηγορία 1: Όλοι οι επιβάτες που έχουν διαμείνει ή ταξιδέψει στην επαρχία Hubei της Κίνας, Ιταλία Ιράν και Δημοκρατία της Κορέας, θα τίθενται σε υποχρεωτικό περιορισμό υπό ιατρική παρακολούθηση (καραντίνα) στην οικία τους (αν υπάρχει δυνατότητα) ή σε χώρο του Υπουργείου Υγείας.

Κατηγορία 2: Στους επιβάτες που έχουν διαμείνει ή ταξιδέψει στις υπόλοιπες επαρχίες Κίνας (εξαιρουμένης της επαρχίας Hubei) και Ειδική Διοικητική Περιοχή Χονγκ Κονγκ, Ιαπωνία, Γερμανία, Γαλλία, Ισπανία, καθώς και σε συγκεκριμένες περιοχές στην Ελλάδα (Νομός Αχαΐας, Ηλείας και Ζακύνθου), θα τίθενται σε υποχρεωτικό αυτοπεριορισμό στην οικία τους (αν υπάρχει δυνατότητα) ή σε χώρο του Υπουργείου Υγείας για 14 μέρες υπό τηλεφωνική παρακολούθηση. Αποφυγή στενών επαφών και μετακινήσεων, τήρηση βασικών κανόνων υγιεινής, παρακολούθηση και αναφορά συμπτωμάτων στην τηλεφωνική γραμμή 1420.

Κατηγορία 3: Επιβάτες που φθάνουν από Ελλάδα (εξαιρουμένων των Νομών Αχαΐας, Ηλείας και Ζακύνθου), Ηνωμένο Βασίλειο, Ελβετία, Ολλανδία, Σουηδία, Βέλγιο και Σιγκαπούρη θα πρέπει να αυτόπαρακολουθούνται και στην περίπτωση εμφάνισης συμπτωμάτων να επικοινωνούν με το τηλεφωνικό Κέντρο 1420. Τήρηση βασικών κανόνων υγιεινής, περιορισμός μετακινήσεων στις άκρως απαραίτητες. Σύμφωνα με τις οδηγίες του Υπουργείου Υγείας όλοι οι επιβάτες από τις κατηγορίες 1 και 2 θα οδηγούνται προς το ιατρείο του αεροδρομίου, ενώ σε ότι αφορά τα λιμάνια θα περιορίζονται στην καμπίνα τους.

Τονίζεται ότι οι πιο πάνω οδηγίες δεν έχουν ισχύ για ταξιδιώτες που πραγματοποιούν πτήσεις διαμετακόμισης εκτός και αν έχουν διανυχτερεύσουν στον ενδιάμεσο σταθμό.

Δελτία Τύπου, σχετικές ανακοινώσεις και αναλυτικές οδηγίες του Υπουργείου Υγείας προς τα άτομα που βρίσκονται είτε σε αυτοπεριορισμό είτε σε καραντίνα, είναι διαθέσιμα στην ηλεκτρονική διεύθυνση https://www.pio.gov.cy/coronavirus/

Οι πολίτες της Κυπριακής Δημοκρατίας που βρίσκονται προσωρινά ή διαμένουν στις ανωτέρω χώρες/περιοχές ή σκοπεύουν να μεταβούν σε αυτές προτρέπονται να είναι ιδιαίτερα προσεκτικοί, να παρακολουθούν τα τοπικά και διεθνή μέσα ενημέρωσης για τις εξελίξεις όσον αφορά τον COVID-19, να ακολουθούν τις σχετικές οδηγίες αρχών της κάθε χώρας και να μεριμνούν για ατομικά μέτρα προστασίας, ως υποδείξεις των αρχών εκάστης χώρας και των διεθνών αρχών Υγείας.

Οι κύπριοι πολίτες που βρίσκονται ή προτίθενται να ταξιδεύσουν για οποιοδήποτε λόγο στο εξωτερικό ενθαρρύνονται όπως επισκεφθούν την ιστοσελίδα www.oikade.gov.cy για εγγραφή στο σύστημα εθελοντικής εγγραφής στοιχείων κυπρίων πολιτών ΟΙΚΑΔΕ.

Στοιχεία Επικοινωνίας : Σε περίπτωση έκτακτης ανάγκης, οι Κύπριοι πολίτες μπορούν να επικοινωνούν στα κάτωθι τηλέφωνα:

Διπλωματικές Αποστολές της Κυπριακής Δημοκρατίας στο εξωτερικό:

Οι κύπριοι πολίτες μπορούν να επικοινωνούν με τις κατά τόπους Διπλωματικές Αποστολές της Δημοκρατίας για παροχή προξενικής αρωγής. Τα στοιχεία επικοινωνίας των Διπλωματικών Αποστολών της Δημοκρατίας στο εξωτερικό είναι προσβάσιμα στην ιστοσελίδα του Υπουργείου Εξωτερικών www.mfa.gov.cy και συγκεκριμένα στον πιο κάτω σύνδεσμο:

http://www.mfa.gov.cy/mfa/mfa2016.nsf/mfa50_gr/mfa50_gr?OpenDocument

Λειτουργός Υπηρεσίας του Υπουργείου Εξωτερικών (ΥΠΕΞ):
+35 7 99660129 (μόνο σε περιπτώσεις εκτός ωρών εργασίας*)

Τμήμα Διαχείρισης Κρίσεων του ΥΠΕΞ:
+35 7 22801000 (24/7)

Τμήμα Προξενικών Υποθέσεων του ΥΠΕΞ:
+35 7 22651113 (07:30/08:30 – 15:00/16:00, Δευτέρα – Παρασκευή)

* Η τηλεφωνική γραμμή του Λειτουργού Υπηρεσίας είναι διαθέσιμη εκτός ωρών γραφείου και αποσκοπεί στην παροχή βοήθειας σε περιπτώσεις επειγόντων περιστατικών. Για ερωτήσεις που δεν είναι επείγουσας φύσεως, παρακαλείστε όπως επικοινωνήσετε με την αρμόδια Διεύθυνση του Υπουργείου, κατά τις συνήθεις ώρες εργασίας μέσω του κεντρικού τηλ +357 22-651000.