Filenews 6 May 2021
Answers to frequently asked questions about what is changing since 10 May as part of the strategy to restart the economy and social activities, gives the Ministry of Health.
A. Movements:
What times does the travel ban apply?
The travel ban runs from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. the next day.
Why is travel allowed during curfew hours (11 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?
The application to send a text message to 8998 for exceptional travel is removed from 10 May and there is no limit to the number of movements allowed per person per day.
A prerequisite for going to specific sites is the production of one of the following evidence:
A vaccination certificate of at least one dose and after a period of 3 weeks has passed, or
Evidence that a person has been ill with COVID-19 disease in the last 6 months. It is understood that a case of coronavirus is considered to be a person who has tested positive for the virus in a molecular test or rapid antigen test and has been declared by the clinical laboratory or rapid test sampling unit or pharmacy, has been detected and released on the basis of the procedures of the Ministry of Health, or
If one of the above does not apply, and as a temporary solution until vaccination coverage goes further, citizens aged 12 years and over are given the option to present a negative test certificate, PCR or rapid test, valid for 72 hours. For example, if the test took place on Sunday at 10 a.m. it would be valid until Tuesday at midnight.
Where is it necessary to present evidence?
Proof must be presented at the following premises:
Dining areas (restaurants, cafes, bars, snack bars, etc.)
Places of religious worship
Outdoor and closed theatres, cinemas and performing arts or theatres
Shopping malls and department stores
Social events such as weddings, christenings and funerals
Gyms, dance schools and schools of other sports, for those who work out indoors
Nursing homes, shelters for the elderly, shelters for chronically ill people and other closed structures
Hotels and tourist accommodation
Pre-election gatherings in theatres/amphitheatres, dining areas
Conferences, trade fairs
casino
Only for the match of the Cup final on 15 May by the fans who will watch the match live.
Where is there no need to present evidence?
The production of evidence is not mandatory for going to the following areas:
Hairdressers, beauty salons
Gambling and betting businesses
Popular markets, supermarkets, bakeries, butchers, fish shops, fruit shops, mini-markets, kiosks, pharmacies
Beaches
Outdoor excursions, dams and zoos.
In what form should the evidence be provided?
Evidence of a negative result from a coronavirus test (PCR or rapid test) shall be presented in the first instance in paper form, as given by the cooperating private clinical laboratories or mobile sampling units of the Ministry of Health in original form. If this is evidence of vaccination, the Vaccination Card given by the Vaccination Centres is presented. In cases of people who have been ill with COVID-19 in the last 6 months, the release text message sent to citizens is presented.
Who is responsible for checking the possession of evidence?
Only the Officers of the Police or the competent Ministries/Departments are responsible for checking the possession of evidence according to the undertakings falling within their areas of competence. Business/premises managers are not responsible for checking the evidence and citizens are not required to present the evidence in their possession to unauthorised persons.
B. Social gatherings / events:
Where are gatherings allowed?
Gatherings are allowed in public places, such as parks, squares, dams, excursion areas, beaches, pedestrian streets, marinas, zoos, etc., as long as they do not exceed 10 people per group, including minors.
Proof is not required.
Are gatherings allowed in houses?
Gatherings in houses are allowed with a maximum of 10 people, including minors.
Are weddings/dinners allowed for weddings and christenings?
Until 16 May, meals/dinners and any other events for weddings and christenings with a maximum of 10 persons, including minors, may be held.
From 17 May 2021, meals /dinners are allowed ONLY in outdoor areas of organized restaurants, event halls and hotels, provided that the attendees are seated and with a maximum attendance of 200 people. Cocktails are forbidden.
From 1 June 2021, meals/dinners may also be held indoors for organized restaurants, event halls and hotels, based on the agreed timetable.
Proof as described in question 3 is a prerequisite.
Are pre-election rallies allowed in the run-up to the parliamentary elections?
Pre-election rallies are allowed provided that the completeness of the venue where the event takes place is respected and the attendees are seated. Cocktail parties are forbidden. for instance:
In open theatre/amphitheatre up to 50% occupancy,
In closed theatre/amphitheatre up to 30% occupancy,
In clubs/dining areas outdoors seated, and
In houses a maximum of 10 persons including permanent permanent persons.
Proof as described in question 3 is a prerequisite.
C. Church
Is church and other forms of religious worship allowed?
From 10 to 16 May, the church and other forms of religious worship in places of religious worship are held with a maximum number of people of 50 people.
From 17 May, the presence of believers with a maximum physical presence is allowed at 30% of the capacity of the place of religious worship.
From 1 June, the presence of believers with a maximum physical presence is allowed at 50% of the capacity of the place of religious worship.
A prerequisite for the physical presence of believers in places of religious worship is the production of evidence as described in question 3.
Are religious ceremonies allowed (weddings, baptisms, funerals)?
Until 16 May religious ceremonies (baptisms, weddings, funerals) with a maximum number of 10 persons are allowed.
From 17 May, the maximum number of people at weddings, baptisms and funerals within the places of religious worship is set at 30% of the occupancy of the place.
Proof as described in question 3 is a prerequisite.
D. Reopening of enterprises/sites:
Is catering businesses allowed to operate?
All external areas of the following categories of catering premises may be operated on the basis of the relevant protocol:
Restaurants
taverns,
Cafes
Alehouse
snack bars and bars,
Cafes
catering areas within shopping centres, canteens and/or sports groups, cultural groups, clubs, clubs, etc.
From 1 June, the interiors of catering operations may also be reopened on the basis of the health protocol.
Proof as described in question 3 is a prerequisite.
Is it permissible to operate shopping centres and retail department stores?
Shopping centres and retail department stores may be operated.
At the same time, the rest of the retail trade, including department stores, and large stores, is allowed to operate, in compliance with the measure of 1 person to 10 sq.m. of useful space.
Proof as described in question 3 is a prerequisite.
Are hair salons and beauty salons reopening?
Yes, hairdressers and beauty salons are allowed to operate on the basis of the health protocol.
Proof is not required.
Are gyms, dance schools and other sports schools allowed to operate?
Yes, the above spaces are being reopened on the basis of what was in force until 25 April.
A prerequisite is the production of evidence as described in question 3, for indoor training.
How do gambling and betting businesses work?
The operation of gambling and betting businesses is permitted in compliance with the guidelines of the Ministry of Health and the National Betting Authority and subject to the conditions that the measure of 1 person per 10 sq.m. is respected, without sitting indoors. Table seats are allowed outdoors.
Proof is not required.
How will casinos resume operations?
Until May 16, casinos are suspended.
From 17 May, casinos are allowed to operate with full capacity at 30% of their capacity and on the basis of the health protocol.
Since 1 June, the occupancy rate has increased to 50% of capacity.
Proof as described in question 3 is a prerequisite.
Is access to swimming pools allowed for sports purposes?
Yes, swimming pools may be operated for sports purposes on the basis of the health protocol and guidelines of the Cyprus Sports Organisation.
Are access to the beaches allowed?
Yes, access to the basis of the protocol implemented in the summer of 2020 is allowed.
Proof is not required.
Are playgrounds, amusement parks and theme parks allowed to operate?
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 basis of protocol and only outdoor spaces, without holding social events.
Proof as described in question 3 is a prerequisite.
Are conferences and trade fairs allowed?
Conferences and trade fairs are not allowed until 16 May.
From 17 May 2021, the above may be carried out, as long as the measure of 30% occupancy of the indoor venue of the conference is respected, with a cocktail ban.
From 1 June 2021 the occupancy amounts to 50% of the occupancy.
Proof as described in question 3 is a prerequisite.
Is campgrounds allowed?
No, campgrounds are not allowed.
Are permanent residences in the Republic allowed in hotels and tourist accommodation?
From 10 May, permanent residences in hotels and tourist accommodation are allowed to stay in hotels and tourist accommodation, provided that proof as described in question 3 is provided.
E. Culture:
What branches of culture?
Until 16 May, outdoor and closed theatres, amphitheatres, cinemas, and performing arts and theatres with a maximum number of 50 people are allowed.
From 17 May 2021, closed theatres, amphitheatres, cinemas, and performing arts and theatres with a occupancy of up to 30% are allowed. Outdoor areas are allowed to operate with a occupancy of up to 50% of the capacity.
From 1 June, occupancy in both indoor and outdoor areas is set at 50% of capacity and in compliance with health protocols.
Proof as described in question 3 is a prerequisite.
F. Education / Children's sports and social activities:
How will the reopening take place in the physical presence of the pupils of the school units?
All levels of education start again from 10 May with the physical presence of the students. Both the staff of all school units and the students of the Gymnasiums, Lyceums and Technical Schools, undergo a mandatory weekly rapid test. Pupils in the second cycle of Primary Schools are optionally subjected to a weekly rapid test.
Students of The Gymnasiums, Lyceums and Technical Schools and the staff of the school units of all grades must undergo a test before their return on 10 May and present a negative result with a validity of 72 hours.
How do group schools and sports and social activities work for children 18 years of age and under?
All group care facilities, as well as sports and social activities for children under the age of 18, are permitted on the basis of the protocol in force until 25 April, i.e. with a maximum number of persons of 7 persons, including the trainer (6+1).
For extracurricular activities of closed spaces with a 72-hour test while open countries remain as is the obligation i.e. mandatory test on a weekly basis.
