Filenews 8 January 2021
All the frequently asked questions of the public are answered by the Ministry of Health in relation to the new measures announced by the Minister of Health Konstantinos Ioannou and concerning the movements of citizens, social gatherings, church, businesses, etc.
A. Movements:
1. What times does the travel ban apply?
The travel ban runs from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. the next day.3
2. Why is travel allowed during curfew hours (9 p.m. to 5 a.m. the next day)?
Persons may be moved during curfew hours for the following reasons:
- for work purposes to and from the workplace with the presentation of Form A, completed and signed by the employer.
- for the purposes of urgent need, i.e. to go to a medical centre or hospital or pharmacy or veterinarian for medical emergencies and to go to provide emergency assistance to persons who are unable to self-serve or who need to self-protect themselves.
3. How many times per day will exceptional travel be allowed?
Exceptional travel will be allowed twice per day by sending a text message to 8998 for the cases referred to in question 4. Persons over the age of 65 may use Form B for their exceptional movements.
It is clarified that for the purpose of going to and from work for work purposes no sms is required, but the employee must present Form A, signed by his employer.
4. In which cases is exceptional travel permitted by sending sms ;
Exception for moving by sending sms is allowed in the following cases:
- Absolutely necessary visits to government agencies, services of the general public sector and local government, when the work cannot be completed electronically.
- Purchase or supply of goods/essentials to and from businesses/services whose operation has not been suspended, including take-away and drive-through from dining areas (until 9 p.m.).
- Visit a doctor/medical centre or donate or carry out a laboratory test for COVID-19 (rapid test or PCR) or go to a pharmacy or for vaccination at the Vaccination Centres.
- Go to a bank to the extent that an online transaction is not possible
- Assistance to relatives and/or fellow citizens who are unable to self-serve or fall within groups that must self-protect themselves or are in self-limitation and/or in places of mandatory restriction.
- Go to a place of religious worship for individual prayer purposes or for ceremonies such as funerals, weddings, baptisms (maximum number of people in ceremonies 10 persons).
- Physical exercise, provided that it does not exceed two adult persons with the exception of minor children and is limited to the places where access is permitted. Persons may also be moved to a Province other than that permanently resident (first residence) for the purpose of individual sports at sea (swimming and fishing), provided that they do not exceed two persons, with the exception of minor children accompanied by their parents. The transition shall be for a reasonable period of time and shall not exceed three (3) hours and persons must return to their permanent residence on the same day at the latest by 9 p.m.. Permanent residents in Provinces to which they have access for swimming in the sea may not go to another Province for bathing purposes.
- Movement of divorced parents or separated parents, which is necessary for the uninterrupted communication and contact of parents and children. Persons should present the Court Order proving that they are responsible for the care of their children on the specific days/hours of travel.
- Specialized treatments for people with disabilities or people with chronic conditions, along with their companion.
- Move to and from the guard camp.
- Go to and from Larnaca and Paphos Airports for the transport of persons, with the presentation of proof (ticket) proving the day and time of arrival/departure.
- Transition of farmers and livestock farmers, provided that they present the emergency and head subsidy form from the COMP or, if this does not exist, a certificate from the Provincial Office of Agriculture.
- Movement of persons to animal shelters for animal care, provided that they provide a certificate from a recognised animal welfare organisation, as well as proof of notification of each movement to the Veterinary Services.
All persons who move for any of the above reasons must carry with them an ID card or passport, for identification purposes in case of verification by the Competent Authorities.
5. In which cases is it permissible to move exceptionally without sending SMS ;
Moving without sending sms is allowed:
- trafficking of persons with disabilities and persons on the autism spectrum, together with their companion.
- for a walk for the needs of a pet, provided that it is limited to the area adjacent to the house (within 500 m of their residence) and provided that they do not exceed two persons, with the exception of minor children accompanied by their parents.
- for the transport of minor children to and from nurseries, nurseries, kindergartens, pre-primary and special education.
6. How many people can board a private vehicle and how many passengers can carry the MMMs?
Private vehicles may be boarded by persons of the same family (household), including minor children of the family, depending on the capacity of the vehicle, without the use of a mask.
In cases of movement by vehicle of persons from different households, up to three (3)persons, including the driver, may be on board the vehicle, with the necessary use of a mask. For travel for work purposes with a private vehicle with a capacity of more than five (5) persons (e.g. construction workers, transporters, etc.), up to four (4)persons may be on board, with the necessary use of a mask. For work purposes and if the private vehicle has a capacity of less than five (5) persons, up to three (3) persons may be on board, with the necessary use of a mask.
The maximum number of people in the mass transport (buses, taxis, etc.) is determined by announcement of the Ministry of Transport.
B. Social gatherings:
7. Are social gatherings allowed in homes?
Social gatherings in dwellings are prohibited, except for permanent residents in them. It is understood that it is forbidden to have a meal/dinner in houses for weddings and christenings.
At the same time, the presence in houses is permitted for the purpose of:
- custody of minors and persons with disabilities for the period of time/duration where the physical presence of parents/guardians is necessary in their workplace (e.g. nurseries, childminding persons, guardian, carers, etc.).
- assistance of persons who are unable to self-serve (medication, care of persons, food supply, etc.). It is understood that such persons should take all personal protective measures and remain only for a reasonable period of time required to care for the individual, so as not to put him or her at risk.
- work by professionals such as electricians, plumbers, domestic workers, gardeners, painters, etc., as well as health professionals (physiotherapists, speech therapists, occupational therapists, community nurses, etc.), only for the reasonable period of time required to carry out their work.
8. Are gatherings allowed in public and private gathering places?
Access and social gatherings are prohibited in public and private gathering places, namely squares, parks, dams, excursion areas, marinas, beaches, pedestrian streets, etc.
Access is only allowed to parks, linear parks and beaches exclusively for physical exercise purposes.
C. Sports:
9. Is it permissible to hold sports championships?
The matches of the first division professional leagues may be held without the presence of spectators. It is understood that the use of locker rooms is only permitted on the day of the match.
All other tournaments, as well as the sporting activities of under-18s, are suspended.
10. Do closed and open sports areas remain in operation?
All sports facilities, in addition to the training facilities of the teams of the first division professional leagues and the National Teams, as well as the dance schools and other related schools, remain closed. It is understood that sports facilities used for the professional leagues of the 2nd and 3rd Division are allowed only for training purposes.
Therefore, the use of sports facilities other than the groups mentioned above, such as shooting ranges, tennis courts, basketball courts, golf, karate, coke, dance schools, and other related schools, is not permitted.
11. What about swimming pools?
Swimming pools remain closed for physical sports purposes. The only cases where swimming pools are allowed for therapeutic purposes in the presence of a health professional (e.g. physiotherapist) for a reasonable period of time required to complete treatment.
12. Are training sessions in sports facilities allowed for team and/or individual sports?
Trainings in sports facilities with the exception of the First Division championships and the National Teams are only allowed for teams participating in the professional leagues of the 2nd and 3rd Divisions. It is understood that the use of locker rooms is prohibited.
Training is allowed in sports facilities with a maximum number of persons of five (5) persons, including the coach/trainer.
It is understood that training is permitted in open outdoor sports facilities of high performance athletes, who are included in the list of the Cyprus Olympic Committee or who claim qualification to the Olympic Games, without the use of locker rooms/gyms and any closed sports and similar infrastructure, provided that the participants in the training will not exceed five (5) persons, including the coach/trainer.
13. In what cases is physical exercise/training allowed?
Physical exercise/training is permitted only in public outdoor areas where access to the basis of the Decree is permitted. Specifically in parks, linear parks and beaches and provided that the participants do not exceed two (2) persons and the physical exercise/training takes place in a reasonable period of up to three (3) hours.
Indicative
- karate athlete is allowed to train on the beach or in a park only with his coach.
- a person is allowed to work out on a beach, park with or without equipment (e.g. TRX, step, fit ball, weights, coke), as long as they do not exceed two people, including the trainer.
- fishing at sea is permitted only during the hours of travel, provided that it does not exceed two persons.
- hunting is permitted in places specified by the Hunting Service on the permitted hunting days, during the hours allowed to move, provided that they do not exceed two persons.
D. Church:
14. Is the operation of sacred temples/religious places of worship permitted?
The Holy Mass in the holy temples/religious places of worship is held without the presence of believers. It is clarified that believers may come to religious places of worship for individual prayer, in order to ensure compliance with the health protocols (distances, masks, maximum number of persons).
It is clarified that the presence of believers is also prohibited in the courtyard of the houses/religious places of worship.
15. Is religious ceremonies such as weddings, baptisms and funerals allowed?
Religious ceremonies (weddings, baptisms and funerals) are performed with a maximum of 10 people, including the man. It is understood that 10 people do not include priests and other church staff.
In funeral cases, the maximum number of 10 people concerns both the religious ceremony and the burial.
E. Business/Services:
16. How will private service companies operate?
Private service companies (e.g. law firms, accounting firms, architectural firms, insurance companies, service companies, etc.) work with the simultaneous physical presence of 15% of their staff, with a maximum number of employees who can be physically present at 20 people per professional premises. The rest of the staff work through teleworking at home. It is understood that the number is rounded up. For example, in a business with 10 people, they can work with a physical presence of 2 people. Also, in an enterprise with 200 employees, the maximum number of persons who can work simultaneously with a physical presence may not exceed 20 persons.
It is understood that retailers may sell products by e-commerce (online) and place telephone orders by home shipping/delivery.
A detailed list will be issued by the Ministry of Labour.
17. Which undertakings/sites/sectors are suspending their operations?
The following undertakings shall be suspended:
- Barbershops and hairdressers,
- Institutes of Aesthetics,
- Tattoo centers,
- Theatres, cinemas, theatres, outdoor and open amphitheatres,
- Dining areas *,
- Night clubs
- Shopping malls, department stores**,
- Playgrounds
- Theme parks, amusement parks, kart tracks, paintball tracks,
- Archaeological sites, museums, historical sites,
- Zoos and natural habitats,
- Betting and gambling agencies,
- Casino
- Amateur driver schools, car driving schools, professional car driving schools (Schools/Professional Capacity Certification Centres), Transporter Vocational Training Schools and Dangerous Goods Vehicle Driver Vocational Training Schools;
- Car dealerships ***,
- Gyms, dance schools, other relevant schools.
* It is understood that dining areas can only offer home delivery services at the times that determine the premises themselves and take- away and drive- through until 9 p.m.
** It is understood that retail stores within shopping centres may sell products by e-commerce by home shipping/delivery.
It is understood that in the case of car dealerships, only service workshops areallowed. At the same time, car garages and other related undertakings, as well as road transport vehicle technical control (MOT) services, remain in operation.
18. Which undertakings do not suspend their operations?
Undertakings which remain in operation, in compliance with the relevant health directives and protocols, are defined in the relevant list to be issued by the Ministry of Labour.
19. What about the operation of construction sites and other related undertakings?
Construction sites and other undertakings with related activities shall continue to operate in compliance with the health protocols. A related list of companies that remain in operation will be issued by the Ministry of Labour.
20. What about the operation of beverage and food retail businesses and the popular markets?
The operation of beverage and food retail businesses, such as supermarkets, mini-markets, fruit shops, bakeries, butchers, fish shops, grocery stores, is permitted.
It is clarified that the sale of retail items (e.g. clothes, shoes, cosmetics, electrical appliances, linen, toys, etc.) to the above-listed beverage and food retailers is prohibited.
Pharmacies, supermarkets, mini-markets, fruit shops, butchers, fish shops and grocery stores, from the start of their operation until 10 a.m., serve only people over 65 years of age and people with disabilities.
The popular markets operate at a capacity of 50% of their capacity. The operation of popular markets selling clothing, linen and/or other products, as well as the itinerant sale, is prohibited.
Businesses operating in the supply chain remain in operation.
21. Do hotels and other tourist accommodation remain open?
Hotels/tourist accommodations operate solely for the accommodation of persons who do not have their permanent residence in Cyprus and fall under the provisions of the Decree (paragraphs 2.9 to 2.14 and 2.16). Reservations are not allowed for persons residing permanently in the Republic of Cyprus
It is understood that the dining areas within the hotels and tourist accommodations remain open:
- only for the service of the persons accommodated in their premises,
- with a maximum number of persons in total up to 75 persons (indoor and outdoor),
- six (6) persons per table,
- one person per 3 sq.m. indoors and one person per 2 sq.m. outdoors.
22. How will the public and wider public sector and local government work?
The public and wider public sector and local government work with the necessary security personnel in the offices to manage urgent issues and serve citizens to cover emergencies. The staff released shall remain at home in order to work by teleworking method. In defining security personnel, account should be taken of the need to restrict officials belonging to high-risk groups. Services defined under the Ordinance as essential services are excluded from the above regulation.
23. How will the Courts work?
The Courts will only deal with urgent cases and their operation is regulated by a circular issued by the Supreme Court.
24. How will the National Guard camps work?
The operation of the National Guard camps will be regulated on the basis of guidelines issued by the Ministry of Defence.
25. Is it permissible to hold conferences, exhibitions, assemblies, press conferences, examinations?
Conferences, assemblies, exhibitions and journalistic conferences are suspended. It is understood that they may be used electronically.
Examinations and/or meetings of State Authorities and/or meetings of Authorities and/or Agencies and/or Bodies and/or Bodies may be held in places for which approval is given by the Ministry of Health.
F. Hospitals/Medical and Diagnostic Centres/Nursing Homes/Rehabilitation Centres/Other Closed Structures:
26. How will hospitals work? Will visits to a doctor be allowed? Will surgeries be performed?
Hospitals in both the public and private sectors continue to operate under a framework that determines the maximum percentage of their fullness in 70% of beds, including ICU beds, in accordance with the instructions issued by the Ministry of Health.
Patient visits to doctors and/or medical and diagnostic centres are permitted without the presence of an escort. It is understood that in cases of minors, escort is allowed by one of the two parents/guardians, while in cases where the patient cannot self-serve and move on his own, he is allowed to be accompanied by an additional person.
The surgeries will be carried out in accordance with the framework and guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health.
27. Will Dentistry continue to operate?
Dentistry remains in operation to deal only with emergencies/emergencies and only by arranging an appointment. It is understood that the patient is accompanied by only one person if it is a minor or a person who cannot self-serve.
28. Do health professionals, such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, home care nurses, etc., continue to work?
Yes, health professionals, in particular physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, home nurses, continue to provide services, provided that they apply the health protocols.
29. What about nursing homes and other structures?
The ban on visits to residents in nursing homes, rehabilitation centres, other institutions for the accommodation of the elderly and other closed structures remains in force. In very exceptional cases, the Management of the premises may give exemptions for visits within a reasonable period of time.
G. Education:
30. How will education be carried out in public and private primary, secondary, secondary, technical schools and higher and higher education institutions?
Education at all levels will be done through distance education, in accordance with the guidelines sent to school units by the Ministry of Education.
In cases where the physical presence of students is required for the purpose of conducting laboratory courses for the preparation of students for examinations in Higher and Higher Education Institutions, the laboratory courses are carried out in a physical presence, in compliance with the health protocols.
31. What about nurseries, nurseries, kindergartens and pre-primary and special education?
The above remain in operation in accordance with the protocols issued by the competent Ministries of Labour and Education.
32. What about the operation of care homes, private training centres and how will private afternoon classes be taught?
Carers and private training centres remain closed and training is done online through e-learning/distance education. Teachers offering home lessons or in particular (teacher and a student) should apply tele-education/distance education for the period when the measures are in force.
The measure for conducting online courses applies indicatively in cases such as: music lessons (music instruments, vocals, choir, coke), painting, art, gymnastics, dance, theatre, foreign languages, supporting teaching of school lessons (mathematics, chemistry, physics, history, etc.).
Source: eyenews
