Filenews 25 February 2021
Answers to frequently asked questions about what is changing since 1 March, as part of the strategy to remove restrictive measures to end the pandemic (Cabinet decisions 25 February 2021)
A. Movements:
- What times does the travel ban apply?
The travel ban is still in effect from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. the next day.
The movement of persons during curfew hours shall continue to be permitted 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 a day by sending a text message to 8998 in the cases listed on Form B. Persons over the age of 65 may use Form B twice a day for their exceptional movements. There are nine (9) categories for exceptional travel by sending SMS.
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 addition, for the purposes of transporting a minor or disabled person to school or to a Day Care Centre, it is not necessary to send a text message from parents/legal guardians.
- What changes in the other categories for using SMS from March 1st?
According to the decisions, the movement for the purpose of visiting nursing homes or care structures and hosting vulnerable and vulnerable groups is added to Category 5.
For travel for individual sports/training purposes in gyms, dance schools and other closed sports facilities and nature trails, a text message is sent by selecting Category 6.
For citizens to go to organized bazaars in outdoor markets, SMS is sent by selecting Category 2.
To go to visual arts venues and galleries, sms is required by selecting Category 9.
All other Categories remain the same.
- Is it allowed to move between the provinces?
Yes, movement between provinces is permitted provided that the purpose for which the movement takes place falls within the Categories of SMS usage which normally does not exceed three (3) hours.
B. Social gatherings:
- Is access to the nature trails of the Department of Forests allowed?
Access to the nature trails of the Department of Forests is permitted only for sports purposes, except that a text message is sent to 8998 with the choice of the number 6 and the reasonable period of three (3) hours is respected.
C. Sports - Sports - Activities:
- In what cases is physical exercise/individual exercise allowed?
Physical exercise/individual sport is permitted in places where access is permitted under the current Decree. In particular, access is only allowed for physical exercise or individual sports purposes to parks, linear parks, nature trails and beaches.
Persons are entitled to go for physical exercise or individual sports only to the above areas, provided that they send to 8998 SMS with a choice of the number 6, observe the appropriate maximum duration of time (3 hours), and exercise together up to two people, with the exception of minor children.
With regard to parks, linear parks, nature trails and beaches, it is understood that the presence of people there is not allowed for any reason other than sport.
It is stressed that in any place where people are to exercise, they should all avoid any socialization with other people who do not live permanently in the same house as them.
- Do I need to send sms to go to sports facilities and/or gym, and/or dance school and/or other sports schools for individual training purposes?
Yes, sending sms to go to sports facilities and/or gym and/or dance school and/or other sports schools for individual training purposes is required by sports people, regardless of age. For individual training purposes, sms must be sent to 8998 with a choice of number 6.
For minors who do not have a mobile phone, a signed certificate for the transfer of the child to the sports/training area must be presented by the parent/legal guardian.
- Is closed sports facilities allowed?
On the basis of protocol and directives to be issued by the Cyprus Sports Organisation, the operation of closed sports facilities of all sports facilities is permitted, taking into account the different sizes of sports indoors, as follows:
- The training will only be for the purpose of individual training with a personal trainer with the distances.
- Closed sports halls up to 80 sq.m. the training will be done with two people including the trainer (one by one).
- Closed sports halls of more than 80 sq.m. and up to 200 sq.m., physical presence of 3 people (1 to 2 athletes).
- Closed rooms of open space beyond 200 sq.m. physical presence of 5 people (1 to 4 athletes).
- What about parents who need to carry their minor children for the purposes of activity, which is permitted under the Ordinance?
Parents/legal guardians who transport their minor children for the purposes of activity, which is permitted in accordance with the Ordinance (training, in nurseries, educational centres, conservatories, etc.), must provide proof of the date and time of activity of the child, as well as Form B.
- How will conservatories, nurseries, training centres and other afternoon classes work?
The above spaces are operated in the physical presence of up to two (2) persons, including the teacher, i.e. one student and one teacher. Excluded from the 1-to-1 setting are cases where students are brothers/sisters.
For example, if two brothers are taught guitar together in a conservatory, then the lesson is done in the physical presence of the two students and their teacher, subject to individual protection measures.
- It is mandatory to carry out a TEST (PCR or rapid test) );
Testing (PCR or rapid test) is initially mandatory for all employees in companies that reopen from 1 March (conservatories, nurseries, training centres, gyms, dance schools, sports facilities, etc.).
Then, on a weekly basis, it is mandatory to carry out an examination of employees , as is the case for employees in any undertaking (see question 17).
- Are third-tier team sports training and competitions allowed?
Team training and the holding of matches of all group sports C Category are allowed under the conditions applicable to the group championships of Categories A and B, and in accordance with the protocols of the COP and the CMO. It is understood that the health protocol is complied with and the use of locker rooms is permitted only on the day of the games. Athletes and the coaching and auxiliary staff of the teams must undergo a PCR or rapid test weekly.
- What about the training sessions of the other Categories of professional leagues of team sports?
The training of team athletes participating in the professional team sports championships is permitted with the participation of a maximum of five (5)persons, including the coach/trainer (4+1), and a maximum of three (3)teams per home facility.
Athletes and the coaching and auxiliary staff of the teams must undergo a PCR or rapid test weekly.
- Who is responsible for monitoring compliance with the measures?
The responsibility for monitoring the implementation of the measures lies with the Cyprus Sports Organisation and the competent Federations.
D. Rapid tests:
- Who should undergo a rapid antigen test?
All workers operating in enterprises/sectors that reopen from 1 March must undergo a rapid antigen test before returning to their workplace, either free of charge through the Ministry of Health's programme or privately at their own expense. It is noted that both teachers and school staff who will reopen on 1 and 8 March must provide a negative result from a rapid test.
In addition, workers in enterprises/sectors must undergo a weekly rapid antigen test as specified in question 17.
- How long is the rapid test result valid?
The result of the rapid test has a time validity of seven (7) days, unless in the meantime the person develops symptoms or is classified as contact and the protocol setting up an Epidemiological Surveillance Unit should be followed.
The employer/enterprise shall be responsible for coordinating a resumption of employee control so that at any time and on a weekly basis they have a rapid test in place as specified below:
- Enterprises/services employing up to 3 people, the audit should be carried out on all employees.
- Enterprises/services employing between 4 and 10 persons should be checked on at least 4 employees.
- Enterprises/services employing more than 10 people should be checked on at least 4 persons or 20% of employees, whichever is greater in number.
E. Culture:
- Which branches of culture are reopening from 1 March?
From 1 March the art galleries and galleries are reopened, in compliance with the health protocols of the Ministry of Health.
F. Education:
- How will the reopening take place in the physical presence of the pupils of the school units?
The reopening of the school units with the physical presence of the students will take place in two phases:
1. From 1 March, the 1stand 2nd Classes of public and private Lyceums and Technical Schools shall be reopened, subject to the relevant health protocol.
2. From 8 March, all classes of public and private gymnasiums shall be reopened, subject to the relevant health protocol.
Please note that teachers and other school staff must undergo a rapid antigen test before returning to work. The rapid test must be repeated on a weekly basis, in accordance with the provisions of the Decree. Testing is recommended for students, but it is optional.
Source: eyenews
