Filenews 12 January 2021
Answers to frequently asked questions about the measures in force to prevent the pandemic, the Ministry of Health gives, attaching further clarifications, in order to resolve any citizens' concerns.
A. Movements:
- What times does the travel ban apply?
The travel ban runs from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. the next day.
- 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 and certifying the need to travel during the above hours.
- 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.
- 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 5. 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.
- How many categories for exceptional travel exist by sending SMS ;
There are eight (8) categories for exceptional travel by sending SMS. Category 8 includes sub-categories as shown below in question 5.
- In which cases is it permissible to move exceptionally by sending sms ;
Exception for moving by sending sms is allowed in the following cases:
- Category 1: 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.
- Category 2: 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 8:30 p.m.). It is understood that the purchase/supply of alcoholic beverages from dining areas is not permitted for either take-away or drive-through.
- Category 3: Go to a bank, to the extent that an electronic transaction is not possible
- Category 4: Absolutely necessary visits to government agencies, services of the general public sector and local government, when the work cannot be completed electronically. This category also includes the movement of citizens to and from the areas adjacent to their permanent residence Green Points operating in various Municipalities/Communities.
- Category 5: 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 compulsory restriction.
- Category 6: 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 in permanent residence (first residence) for the purpose of individual sports at sea, provided that they do not exceed two persons, with the exception of minor children accompanied by their parents. The transition is for a reasonable period of time 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 to the sea may not go to another Province for physical sports purposes.
- Category 7: Go to a place of religious worship for the purposes of individual prayer or for ceremonies such as funerals, weddings, baptisms (maximum number of persons in ceremonies 10 persons).
- Category 8 (with the presentation of the necessary evidence applicable to each case):
- 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 certified by a recognised animal welfare organisation, as well as proof of notification of each movement to the Veterinary Services.
- Move to a cemetery.
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.
- 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 the needs of a pet or for physical exercise, provided that it is limited to the area adjacent to the residence (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.
- for workers who continue to work with a physical presence in enterprises/sectors that have not been suspended, and wish to go on the route to/from their workplace to go to premises that remain in operation for the purchase of essentials or to Green Points operating in Municipalities/Communities for the disposal of items.
- for workers who continue to work in a physical presence and who wish to undergo a rapid test at the sampling points, during their transition or departure from their workplace or while at work.
- Is it allowed to move between the provinces?
Yes, movement between the Provinces is permitted provided that the purpose for which the movement takes place falls within the points of the use of SMS which normally does not exceed three (3) hours, with specific reasonable exceptions, such as movement for hunting and fishing purposes, for the transport of soldiers and for travel to and from the airport, for funeral, for the care of elderly and non-self-serving persons in a province other than that of permanent residence or for agricultural and veterinary purposes.
- 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:
- 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.
- Are gatherings allowed in public and private gathering spaces?
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:
- Is sports leagues allowed?
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.
- Do the 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.
- 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.
- 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 closed and open outdoor sports facilities of high performance athletes, who are included in the list of the Cyprus Sports Organization 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.
- 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 within a reasonable period of time.
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.
- swimming in the sea is permitted only during the hours allowed to move, provided that it does not exceed two persons.
D. Church:
- Are sacred temples/religious places of worship allowed?
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 (simultaneous physical presence of up to 10 persons per religious site), 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.
- Are 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.
In the case of individual prayer, the measures should be observed and not exceed 10 persons within the religious place of worship.
E. Business/Services:
- How will private service companies operate?
Private service undertakings (e.g. law firms, accounting firms, insurance companies, service undertakings, etc.), with the exception of the essential services specified in the Decree, work remotely. The physical presence of employees not exceeding 15% of the total number of staff with a minimum presence of three (3) persons, if the employer so wishes, and a maximum of 20 persons shall be permitted within the professional premises.
It is understood that if an undertaking operates in more than one building, the physical presence of employees not exceeding 15% of each premises is permitted, with a minimum presence of three (3) persons, if the employer so wishes, and a maximum of 20 persons.
For undertakings located in the same building, the physical presence of workers not exceeding 15% of each legal person (i.e. each undertaking) is permitted, with a minimum presence of three (3) persons, if the employer so wishes, and a maximum of 20 persons and provided that the health protocols are complied with.
The rest of the staff work through teleworking at home. It is understood that the number is rounded up.
For example,
- in an enterprise with 10 persons, they may work with a physical presence of up to 3 persons, if the employer so wishes.
- in an enterprise with 50 employees, they may work with a physical presence of up to 8 persons.
- in an enterprise with 200 employees, the maximum number of persons who can work simultaneously in physical presence may not exceed 20 persons.
- Do the offices of industries, construction and similar companies fall under the above regulation?
Yes, the offices of industries, construction and similar companies fall under the above regulation. For example, the accounting department of a construction company allows the physical presence of employees who do not exceed 15% of the total number of staff with a minimum presence of three (3) persons, if the employer so wishes, and a maximum of 20 persons. For example, an architectural office allows the physical presence of employees who do not exceed 15% of the total number of staff with a minimum presence of three (3) persons, if the employer so wishes, and a maximum of 20 persons. It is understood that workers, such as architects and civil engineers, can carry out external work, such as inspections of construction sites or buildings under construction, etc.
- Do shops of similar companies in the construction sector remain open for customer service?
No, it is not allowed to operate for customer service in the shops of similar companies in the construction sector, such as shops selling sanitary ware, etc. It is understood that these shops serve construction professionals (e.g. plumbers, electricians, builders, etc.).
- Is retail businesses allowed to operate?
The operation of retail businesses for the service of a public with a physical presence in the premises is prohibited. It is understood that such undertakings may sell products by e-commerce (online) and execute telephone orders by home shipment/delivery.
Specific categories of retail businesses (e.g. petrol stations, medical equipment and medical supplies businesses, cleaners, nurseries and florists, etc.) will be able to serve in a physical presence. A detailed list of companies will be included in the Decree.
- Which businesses/sites/branches are suspending their operations?
The following undertakings shall be suspended:
- Barbershops and hairdressers,
- Institutes of Aesthetics,
- Tattoo centres,
- 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 set by the companies themselves and take- away and drive- through until 9 p.m. It is forbidden to take - away and drive- through for the purchase of alcoholic beverages.
** 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 are allowed. At the same time, car garages and other related undertakings, as well as road transport vehicle technical control (MOT) services, remain in operation.
- Which companies 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.
- What applies to the operation of construction sites and other related enterprises?
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.
- 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. Please note that food is permitted (e.g. mobile sandwich canteens, ice cream, vegetables, fruits, etc.), provided that they hold a valid license from the relevant Municipal or Community Council and provided that the service is done only by take-away, drive-through or delivery and not in table seats. It is prohibited to operate popular markets selling clothing, linen and/or other products, as well as to sell them.
Businesses operating in the supply chain remain in operation.
- Do hotels and other tourist accommodations 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 2.16). 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.
- 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.
- How will the courts work?
The functioning of the Courts and Protocols is regulated by a circular to be issued by the Supreme Court.
- 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.
- Are conferences, exhibitions, assemblies, press conferences, examinations allowed?
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:
- How will the 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.
- Will the 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.
- Health professionals, such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, home 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.
- 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:
- How will education be done in public and private Primary, High Schools, Lyceums, 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.
- 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.
- 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
