Filenews 6 May 2021 - by Marilena Panagi
With the imposition of Coronapass on churches, dining venues, shopping malls, super-stores, weddings, baptisms, theatres, cinemas, gyms, even on the field for the cup final and at election events, we return to the pre-lockdown period.
As of Monday, citizens are required to hold either a negative 72-hour certificate following a molecular or rapid antigen diagnostic test, or to prove that they have received both doses of the vaccine, either one dose but three weeks have passed since the day of vaccination, or to prove that they were infected with the coronavirus, up to 6 months previously.
Suddenly, and while it was expected that final announcements would be made on Sunday, shortly after 9 p.m. last night, the Health Minister announced in writing what the Cabinet decided at its nearly three-hour meeting.
In general, Cyprus returns to the measures in force before 26 April and the imposition of the third general prohibition, with the Ministerial remaining in its previous decision with a conditional return, that is, with the introduction of Coronapass in our lives while at the same time, the Government gave specific dates for the restart of additional sectors of the economy after 17 and 31 May. The presentation of Coronapass will be necessary, not when citizens enter the places for which this measure will apply, but citizens will be obliged to present the relevant certificates if requested by a member of the Police or another authorised person/inspector.
Therefore:
- The church and other forms of religious worship in religious places are performed with the necessary presentation of Coronapass and with a maximum number of 50 persons until 16 May 2021. From 17 May, the presence of believers with a maximum of 30% of the capacity of the place of religious worship will be allowed, with the necessary presentation of Coronapass, while from 1 June the presence of believers with a maximum of 50% of the capacity of the place of religious worship will be allowed, with the necessary presentation of Coronapass.
- All outdoor dining areas are reopened. Patrons must be in possession of Coronapass. From 1 June 2021 indoor dining areas are also allowed to operate.
- Closed shopping malls are reopening, subject to the presentation of Coronapass.
- For the rest of the retail trade, coronapass production will only be necessary in large super-stores and department stores.
- Religious ceremonies (weddings, baptisms, funerals) with a maximum number of 10 persons are allowed until 16 May 2021. From 17 May 2021 a maximum of 200 people, provided that the fullness of 30% is kept within the place of worship, with the necessary presentation of Coronapass.
- Outdoor and closed theatres, amphitheatres, cinemas, and theatres with a maximum number of 50 people are allowed until 17 May, with the necessary presentation of Coronapass. After The 17th of May, occupancy of up to 30% indoors and 50% in open spaces. Necessary presentation with Coronapass.
- Gyms, dance schools and other sports schools are allowed, with the necessary presentation of Coronapass to those who work out indoors.
- Accommodation in hotels is allowed from 10 May 2021 with the necessary presentation of Coronapass.
- Meals/dinners and any other events for weddings and christenings with a maximum of 10 persons including minor children may be held until 16 May. From 17 May 2021, meals/dinners may only be held outdoors, seated and up to 200 people, with the necessary presentation of Coronapass. From 1 June, meals/dinners are also allowed indoors, with a required Coronapass presentation.
- Pre-election meetings are allowed provided that the completeness of the site is respected with the necessary presentation of the Coronapass.
- For the Cup final on 15 May spectators are allowed (15% completeness of the stadium selected) with the necessary presentation of Coronapass.
- Visits to nursing homes, care homes for the elderly, centres for chronically ill people, shelters for vulnerable groups, hostels for the transitional accommodation of homeless people, day centres, child protection structures, at the base of the Protocols and with the presentation of a corona passport are allowed.
Students return to their schools
- Training continues normally with a physical presence, with the presentation of a mandatory weekly rapid test.
- High School, Lyceum and 2nd cycle primary school students, on the 1st day of their presence, i.e. 10 May 2021, must present a negative test with a validity of 72 hours.
- All group care facilities, as well as sports and social activities for children under 18 years of age, are allowed.
- For extracurricular activities of closed spaces with a 72-hour test while open countries remain as is the obligation, i.e., mandatory tests on a weekly basis.
What's on from Monday
- Gambling and betting businesses may operate without sitting indoors. Table seats are allowed outdoors.
- Gatherings are allowed in public places (parks, squares, dams, excursion areas, beaches, pedestrian streets and marinas, etc.), as long as they do not exceed 10 people.
- Up to 10 persons may be present in homes.
- Visits to hospitals, clinics, medical and diagnostic centres are allowed, with the approval of the Executive Director of the Centre and with the presentation of a negative PCR test within 48 hours.
- The popular markets will operate with 50% occupancy and 1.5 meters between persons under protocol.
- The operation of beauty salons and salons is permitted.
- Swimming pools may be operated for sports purposes on the basis of a protocol.
- Access to beaches is allowed in accordance with the Protocol in force in the summer of 2020.
- Access to outdoor excursions, dams and zoos is permitted.
- The suspension of playgrounds, amusement parks and theme parks remains until 16 May 2021. From 17 May 2021 children's playgrounds, amusement parks and theme parks are allowed to operate on the Protocol basis and only outdoors, without holding social events (children's birthdays, etc.).
- Traffic is prohibited from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. the next day.
Finally, as far as the public sector is concerned, the compulsory teleworking measure is extended. From 17 May, compulsory distance work will apply with the exception of Essential Services with a maximum physical presence number of up to 50%.
In private service undertakings, the measure of simultaneous physical presence of 30% of their staff remains, with a maximum number of employees who can be physically present at 50 persons per professional premises and a minimum of 5 persons, until 16 May 2021. From 17 May 2021 the physical presence of up to 50% is allowed.
