Filenews 27 May 2021
Answers to frequently asked questions about what is changing since 29 May in the context of the strategy to restart the economy and social activities, gives the Ministry of Health, following today's decisions of the Council of Ministers, in relation to the relaxation of epidemiological measures.
A. Movements:
1. What times does the travel ban apply?
From 29 May to 9 June , the travel ban is valid from 1 am. to 5 am.
From June 10th, the travel ban is terminated.
2. Why is travel allowed during curfew hours (1 am. to 5 am.) between 29 May and 9 June?
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.
3. What are the acceptable conditions for SafePass ;
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
Proof that a person has been ill with COVID-19 disease in the last 6 months, 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.
4. Where SafePass presentation is necessary ;
Persons aged 12 years and over must have SafePass and present in case of inspection by authorised officers, in the following premises/businesses:
Indoor dining areas (restaurants, cafes, bars, snack bars, etc.)
Places of religious worship
Closed theatres, amphitheatres, cinemas and performing arts or theatres
Shopping malls and department stores
Social events such as weddings, christenings and funerals
Gyms, dance schools and other sports schools, in accordance with the guidelines of the Cyprus Sports Organisation
Nursing homes, shelters for the elderly, shelters for chronically ill people and other closed structures
Hotels and tourist accommodation
Conferences, trade fairs
casino.
5. Where SafePass presentation is not required ;
SafePass production is not mandatory for going to the following areas:
Outdoors
Hairdressers, beauty salons
Banks
Departments/Services for the public, public and wider public sectors
Gambling and betting businesses
Popular markets, supermarkets, bakeries, butchers, fish shops, fruit shops, mini-markets, kiosks, pharmacies
Beaches
Outdoor excursions, dams and zoos.
6. Which certificates are accepted as SafePass ;
SafePass for negative result from a crown test (PCR or rapid test) is presented in paper form, as given by the sampling point or workshop, or in the form of a text message sent to the persons' mobile phone. In the case of SafePass Vaccination, the Vaccination Card given to vaccination centres is presented. In cases of people who have been ill with COVID-19 in the last 6 months, the recovery text message sent to citizens is presented.
7. Who is responsible for SafePass possession control ;
Only the Officers of the Police or the competent Ministries/Departments who carry out checks according to the companies falling within their areas of competence are responsible for the SafePass possession control. Business/premises managers are not responsible for the control of SafePass and citizens are not required to present SafePass in their possession to unauthorized persons.
B. Social gatherings / events:
8. In which places are gatherings allowed?
Gatherings are allowed in public places, such as parks, squares, dams, excursion areas, beaches, pedestrian streets, marinas, zoos, etc.
9. Are gatherings allowed in homes?
Gatherings in houses are allowed with a maximum of 20 persons, including minors and permanent residents.
10. Is it permissible to hold meals/dinners for weddings and christenings?
From 1 June to 14 June, meals / dinners of weddings and baptisms may be held in restaurants or hotel units or in other event rooms, in the application of the health protocol, as follows:
150 people indoors for lunch or dinner, or
280 people outdoors for lunch or dinner
Reception/cocktail party with 250 people is allowed at any time only outdoors.
From 15 June to 30 June, meals / dinners of weddings and baptisms may be held in restaurants or hotel units or in other event rooms, in the following way:
250 people indoors for lunch or dinner or
350 people outdoors for lunch or dinner
Reception/cocktail party with 250 people is allowed at any time only outdoors.
In the case of weddings/dinners and christenings in houses, proof of marriage/baptism (e.g. invitation) and the available squares of the house should be provided in order to determine the maximum number of attendees under the relevant protocol. The data should be sent electronically to the healthservices@mphs.moh.gov.cy for approval.
A prerequisite for those attending the event is the presentation of SafePass as described in question 3.
C. Church
11. Is church and other forms of religious worship allowed?
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. The maximum physical presence of persons at 50% of capacity also applies to the performing of religious ceremonies such as weddings, baptisms and funerals.
A prerequisite for the physical presence of believers in places of religious worship is the presentation of SafePass as described in question 3.
D. Reopening of enterprises/sites:
12. Is catering businesses allowed to operate?
From 1 June, the internal and external spaces 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.
A prerequisite for indoor use is the presentation of SafePass as described in question 3.
13. Are nightclubs allowed to operate?
Nightclubs will reopen on June 10, according to health protocol.
A prerequisite for indoor use is the presentation of SafePass as described in question 3.
14. What changes in the operation of casinos?
Since 1 June, the percentage of casino occupancy has increased to 50% of capacity.
SafePass as described in question 3 is a prerequisite.
15. Is it permissible to operate playgrounds, amusement parks and theme parks?
From 1June, children's playgrounds may be operated indoors and outdoors, subject to the protocol applicable to dining areas, without holding events (e.g. children's birthday parties, etc.).
From 16 June and on the basis of a health protocol, children's parties are allowed in playgrounds, amusement parks and theme parks.
A prerequisite for indoor use is the presentation of SafePass as described in question 3.
16. Are conferences and trade fairs allowed?
From 1 June, conferences and trade fairs may be held, provided that the measure of 50% of the completeness of the internal venue of the conference/exhibition is respected.
A reception/cocktail can be held on the basis of the protocol for holding social events.
SafePass as described in question 3 is a prerequisite.
17. Is it permissible to operate campgrounds?
The reopening of campgrounds and other similar configured spaces is allowed from 16 June.
From 16 June, summer schools and children's camps are also allowed.
A prerequisite for the above sites is the presentation of SafePass as described in question 3 by all persons 12 years of age and older.
18. How do private enterprises and the public and wider public sector work?
Until 9 June, private undertakings and public and wider public sector departments/services, with the exception of essential services, shall work in the physical presence of staff not exceeding 50% of employees.
From 10 June, the limit on the physical presence of workers is lifted.
19. What about sport and sports activities?
With regard to the operation of sports facilities, including swimming pools, and sports activities, the guidelines issued by the Cyprus Sports Organisation apply. Please note these have not yet been released.
E. Culture:
20. How will cultural premises (theatres, amphitheatres and other performing arts venues) work?
From 1 June, occupancy in both indoor and outdoor cultural spaces (theatres, amphitheatres and other performing arts venues) is set at 50% of capacity and in compliance with health protocols.
A prerequisite for indoor use is the presentation of SafePass as described in question 3.
21. Is it permissible to organise popular festivals in churches?
From 10 June, popular celebrations may be carried out in churches on the basis of the protocols applicable to the popular markets.
F. Group care and afternoon activities for children 18 years and under:
22. How do group schools and sports and social activities work for children 18 years of age and under?
From 1 June, all group care facilities for children under the age of 18 are allowed, on the basis of the health protocol.
From 1 June, other social and extracurricular activities of children under the age of 18 are allowed, with the presentation of a negative test result of 72 hours by all persons aged 12 years and over. For social and extracurricular activities of children under 18 years of age in open spaces, the obligation for compulsory weekly tests by all persons aged 12 years and over remains.
