Filenews 16 January 2021
The epidemiological picture of the various countries has been re-evaluated by the Epidemiological Surveillance and Control Unit of Infectious Diseases of the Medical and Public Health Services, with regard to COVID-19 disease.
As reported by the Ministry of Health, the evaluation was based on the epidemiological indicators of the countries, such as: its actual R(t) reproduction number for SARS-CoV-2, the number of new diagnoses, the number of laboratory tests, the mortality rate per 100,000 inhabitants, the estimated prevalence and incidence and classification by the World Health Organisation (WHO), as presented in valid databases.
The following categorization of countries, based on the epidemiological risk assessment, is extremely dynamic and can be differentiated at any time, as the pandemic evolves and epidemiological data change. To this end, new data will be announced and the list of countries will be updated frequently.
The differences from the previous assessment, dated 6 November 2020, are as follows and shall enter into force on 18 January 2021:
- Serbia moves from Category B to Category C
- Sweden moves from Category B to Category C
- Latvia from Category B moves to Category C
- Lithuania moves from Category B to Category C
- Japan moves from Category A to Category B
- Estonia from Category B moves to Category C
- Iceland from Category C moves to Category B
- Denmark from Category B moves to Category C
- Uruguay from Division B moves to Category C
- South Korea moves from Category A to Category B
It is noted that the relevant categorization of countries has taken into account the amended Recommendation of the European Council on the external borders of the European Union.
Category A – Low-risk countries at this stage
- Third Countries: 1) Australia, 2) New Zealand, 3) Singapore, 4) Thailand
This category has been associated with countries with an actual reproduction number (Rt) of less than 1 and/or a small number of new diagnoses (<1/100,000 inhabitants per day) and/or a small or very low MORTALITY COVID19 (<5-10/1 00,000 inhabitants) and/or classification of sporadic cases or cluster of cases according to the WHO and/or at least satisfactory laboratory testing (>3000 tests/100,000 inhabitants).
It should be noted that passengers from Category A countries do not require the presentation of a COVID-19 laboratory test certificate, nor does it require self-limit.
Category B – Countries with a potential low risk but with more doubt compared to Category A
- Member States of the European Union: 1) Germany, 2) Greece, 3) Finland
- Members of the Schengen Zone: 1) Iceland, 2) Norway
- Third Countries: 1) Japan, 2) China (including Hong Kong and Macau), 3) South Korea, 4) Rwanda
This category has been associated with countries with an actual reproduction number (Rt) of more than 1 and/or a number of new diagnoses >1/100,000 inhabitants per day and/or increased COVID-19 mortality (>10/100,000 inhabitants) and/or limited laboratory testing (<2000 tests/100,000 inhabitants) or lack of WHO classification.
It is noted that passengers from Category B countries are required to have carried out a laboratory check within 72 hours prior to departure and to have a Certificate proving a negative PCR test for the virus.
It should be specified, at the same time, that passengers from category B countries falling within the following categories may carry out the molecular examination on arrival in the Republic:
(a) Cypriot citizens and members of their families (their foreign spouses, minor children and their parents);
(b) all legal residents of the Republic;
(c) persons entitled in accordance with the Vienna Convention;
(d) persons irrespective of nationality, in whose country of residence there is no laboratory analysis service (public or private), to those who wish to travel to the Republic of Cyprus and upon notice.
It is noted that the cost of the examination is covered by them and in addition these persons should remain under house arrest until the result is published.
Category C – Countries of increased risk compared to categories A and B
- Member States of the European Union: 1) Austria, 2) Belgium, 3) Bulgaria, 4) France, 5) Denmark, 6) Estonia, 7) Ireland, 8) Spain, 9) Italy, 10) Croatia, 11) Latvia, 12) Lithuania, 13) Luxembourg, 14) Malta, 15) Netherlands, 16) Hungary, 17) Poland, 18) Portugal, 19) Romania, 20) Slovakia, 21) Slovenia, 22) Sweden, 23) Czech Republic
- United Kingdom
- Small States: 1) Andorra, 2) Monaco, 3) Vatican City, 4) San Marino
- Members of the Schengen Zone: 1) Switzerland, 2) Liechtenstein
- Third Countries: 1) Algeria, 2) Morocco, 3) Montenegro, 4) Serbia, 5) Uruguay
These countries are also classified as countries not included in categories A or B. Some of the countries at increased risk according to their epidemiological picture are mentioned above.
According to the Infectious Diseases Decree (No. 2) of 2021, only specified categories of citizens who have the option to choose as they undergo a covid-19 disease diagnostic test on arrival in Cyprus or have an RT-PCR COVID-19 certificate with a negative result within 72 hours prior to departure are allowed to enter the Republic. It should be noted that these individuals are either subjected to a molecular examination for COVID-19 coronavirus disease on the 10th day of self-containing at their own expense and the self-limit is terminated provided that the result of the molecular examination is negative, or released on the 14th day of self-regulation, provided that they are not positive for COVID-19 coronavirus disease, in accordance with the guidelines of the Ministry of Health.
It is stressed that all passengers, regardless of country category, are obliged to apply for CyprusFlightPass within 24 hours prior to the departure of their flight. In addition, for the purpose of ensuring public health and supervising the epidemiological picture, COVID-19 laboratory molecular testing will be carried out on passengers of selected flights arriving.
It is noted that the above categorization of countries will take effect from 18 January 2021.
Source: eyenews
