Filenews 8 January 2021
The new measures were announced at noon on Friday, through the Minister of Health, and include, among other things, exceptional movements using SMS on 8998 and a blanket travel ban from 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.
What about exceptional travel
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.
In which cases is it permissible to move exceptionally 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 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 and proof of notification
Source: eyenews
