Filenews 29 May 2021
The Decree of the Minister of Health on the new measures against the dispersion of coronavirus, which will enter into force from midnight on 1 June until 23:59 on 30 June, has been published.
Among other things, it is prohibited until 9 June 2021 for people to move from home from 01.00am. until 05.00 a.m., with the exception of the following cases: concerning the transition to and from the workplace, as well as for work purposes, possession of the Employee Traffic Certificate Form, transfer to a medical centre or hospital or pharmacy or veterinarian for medical emergencies, and transition for the purposes of a need to provide emergency assistance to persons who are unable to self-serve or who need to protect themselves.
Access to parks and linear parks, beaches, squares, dams, excursion sites, marinas, zoos, parks and nature trails is permitted, while mass events, gatherings, demonstrations, parades, concerts, festivals, in public or private spaces, with the exception of events/gatherings/sports events, for which guidelines are issued by the Ministry of Health, are prohibited.
Under the Decree, a total presence of up to 20 persons in a residence, including minor children and including permanently resident persons, is permitted.
The presence of believers during the church and/or other forms of religious service is permitted, since the fullness does not exceed 50% of the capacity of the place of religious worship, while inside the churches and places of worship will be allowed entrance with the demonstration of SafePass for persons over 12 years of age.
In addition, until 9 June 2021 private service undertakings, with the exception of essential services, work remotely and allow the physical presence of workers not exceeding 50% of the total number of employees and from 10 June 2021 the physical presence of all workers is permitted.
Detailed changes:
(a) The movement of persons from 01.00 a.m. to 05.00 a.m. is prohibited until 9 June 2021, except in the following cases:
(i) Transition to and from workplaces, as well as for work purposes, by holding the Employee Traffic Certificate Form, attached as an Annex, to this Decree;
(ii) going to a medical centre or hospital or pharmacy or veterinarian for medical emergencies;
(iii) transition for the purposes of an unnecessary need to provide emergency assistance to persons who are unable to self-serve or who must protect themselves: It is understood that all persons carry with them an identity card or passport, for control purposes by the competent authorities,
(b) Access to parks and linear parks, beaches, squares, dams, excursion sites, marinas, zoos, parks and nature trails is permitted,
(c) Mass events are prohibited; gatherings, demonstrations, parades, concerts, festivals, in public or private places, excluding events/gatherings/sports events, for which guidelines are issued by the Ministry of Health,
(d) The total presence of up to 20 persons in a residence, including minor children and including permanently resident persons, is permitted: It is understood that, under paragraph (h) the restriction of 20 persons is excluded , events for weddings and baptisms for which permission is granted by the Health Services of the Ministry of Health, on the basis of guidelines of the Ministry of Health,
(e) The presence of believers during the church and/or other forms of religious worship is permitted, subject to the following conditions:
(i) the occupancy does not exceed 50% of the capacity of the place of religious worship;
(ii) within the premises of religious worship persons aged 12 years and over possess either a negative laboratory examination or a rapid antigen detection test for COVID-19 disease with sampling carried out within 72 hours, or a vaccination certificate for COVID-19 disease at least at one dose and provided that a period of three weeks has passed after the date of vaccination; or proof of release in the case of persons ill with COVID-19 disease and provided that no period of six months has passed since the date of sampling of their initial positive diagnosis: It is understood that the person or persons who, on the basis of the internal institutional framework of religion and/or doctrine, are responsible for compliance with the place of worship concerned shall be held by the person or persons who, on the basis of the internal institutional framework of religion and/or doctrine, are responsible for the place of worship concerned. : It is also understood that persons may be present in forecourts of churches and other religious sites, in compliance with the guidelines of the Ministry of Health;
(f) Individual prayer is permitted in churches, churches and other religious places of worship, except during church hours and/or other religious ceremonies, provided that no more than 20 persons are present in the place of religious worship at the same time: It is understood that the person or persons who, on the basis of the internal institutional framework of religion and/or doctrine are responsible for the place of worship in question, are responsible for compliance;
(g) The commission of marriages, baptisms and funerals shall be governed under the following conditions: (i) the completeness within the venue where the ceremony takes place does not exceed 50% of its capacity, (ii) in the interiors persons aged 12 years and over possess either a negative laboratory examination or a rapid antigen detection test for COVID-19 disease with sampling carried out within 72 hours; , either a vaccination certificate for COVID-19 disease at least at one dose and provided that a period of three weeks has passed after the date of vaccination, or proof of release in the case of persons ill with COVID-19 and provided that no period of six months has passed since the date of sampling of their initial positive diagnosis,
(h) (i) Events, including weddings and baptisms in dining venues, venues for events and receptions, hotels and/or tourist accommodation, nightclubs, nightclubs and music and dance venues, may be held; as well as in homes, in compliance with the guidelines of the Ministry of Health, (ii) indoors persons aged 12 years and over have a negative laboratory or rapid antigen detection test for COVID19 disease with sampling carried out within 72 hours, either a vaccination certificate for COVID-19 disease at least at one dose and provided that a period of three weeks has passed after the date of vaccination, or proof of release in the case of persons sick with COVID-19 and provided that no period of six months has passed since the date of sampling of their initial positive diagnosis. ,
(i) Visits to hospitals are permitted; clinical, medical and diagnostic centres, with the approval of the Director of the premises in question and provided that persons aged 12 years and over possess either a negative laboratory or rapid antigen detection test for COVID-19 disease with sampling carried out within 72 hours, or a vaccination certificate for COVID-19 disease at least at one dose and provided that a period of three weeks has passed after the date of vaccination , or proof of release in the case of persons ill with COVID-19 disease and provided that no period of six months has passed since the date of sampling of their initial positive diagnosis:
It is considered that, with the exception of the obligation to carry out an examination, the visit in the event of urgent and exceptional cases has been approved by the Director of the premises in question,
(j) Visits to nursing homes, care homes for the elderly, centres for chronically ill people, accommodation structures and hostels for vulnerable groups, hostels for the transitional accommodation of homeless people, day centres, child protection structures are allowed, in compliance with the guidelines of the Ministries of Health and Labour, Welfare and Social Insurance and is required indoors , for persons aged 12 years and over, hold either a negative laboratory test or a rapid antigen detection test for COVID-19 disease with sampling carried out within 72 hours, either a vaccination certificate for COVID-19 disease at least at once and provided that a period of three weeks has passed after the date of vaccination, or evidence of release in the case of persons sick with COVID-19 and provided that no period of six months has passed from the date of sampling of their initial positive diagnosis,
(k) All hospitals are allowed to perform cold surgical operations. For private hospitals the maximum bed occupancy limit is set at 80%, with the exception of the beds of the Intensive Care Units for which the maximum bed occupancy limit is set at 60%,
(l) Persons approaching an area accessible to the public shall be required to observe a distance of two metres from other persons, 71 of 1965 22 of 1970 48 of 1991 97(I) of 1996.
(m) Assemblies/elections of Guilds registered under the Trade Union Laws of 1965-1996 may be held by electronic means, with the approval of the Trade Union Registrar;
(n) Guidelines shall be issued by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works for the movement of persons by regular passenger bus at a rate per passenger, as well as by means of public transport and/or private transport, by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works: It is provided that the use of a protective face mask is compulsory by workers and passengers in all modes of transport referred to in this paragraph,
(o) The functioning of the Courts and Protocols is governed by the guidelines issued by the Supreme Court,
(p) Written examinations may be conducted at the request of the competent body as well as meetings of State Authorities and/or meetings of Authorities and/or Agencies and/or Bodies and/or Bodies provided for by the Constitution; in places for which approval is given by the Ministry of Health and for persons attending examinations shall be required to hold at the date of the examination either a negative laboratory examination or a rapid antigen detection test for COVID-19 disease with sampling carried out within 72 hours, or a vaccination certificate for COVID-19 disease at least at one dose and provided that a period of three weeks has passed after the date of vaccination , or proof of release in the case of persons ill with COVID-19 disease and provided that no period of six months has passed since the date of sampling of their initial positive diagnosis,
(q) (i) The operation of private and public primary schools, private and public kindergartens, nurseries, including pre-primary schools, special schools and special units of public schools shall be carried out in a physical presence;
(ii) the operation of the high schools and the corresponding classes of the private Secondary Schools is carried out in a physical presence and students are required to have a negative laboratory examination or rapid antigen detection test for COVID-19 disease on a weekly basis; either proof of release in cases where they have been ill with COVID-19 disease and provided that no period of six months has passed since the date of sampling of their initial positive diagnosis: It is understood that those pupils who do not hold a negative examination, or proof of release, as provided for in this subparagraph; or for any medical reason unable to participate with a physical presence in school, receive distance learning: It is further understood that the Minister of Education, Culture, Sport and Youth as the competent authority , may regulate the physical presence of teachers and other staff in public schools for the smooth functioning of distance learning;
(iii) the operation of the Lyceums and Technical Schools, including the Esperines and the corresponding classes of the private Secondary Schools; is carried out in a physical presence and requires students to have a negative laboratory or rapid antigen detection test on a weekly basis, or proof of release in cases where they have contracted COVID-19 disease and provided that no period of six months has passed since the date of sampling of their initial positive diagnosis: It is understood that those pupils who do not hold a negative test, or proof of release, as provided for in this subparagraph, or for any medical reason unable to participate with a physical presence in school, are subject to distance learning: It is further understood that the Minister of Education, Culture, Sport and Youth as the competent authority , may regulate the physical presence of teachers and other staff in public schools for the smooth functioning of distance learning;
(iv) the operation of public and private Higher and Higher Education Institutions may be carried out in a physical presence and students in the Institutions are required to have a negative laboratory or rapid antigen detection test on a weekly basis, or a vaccination certificate for COVID-19 disease at least at one dose and provided that a period of three weeks has passed after the date of vaccination; , or proof of release in cases where they have been ill with COVID-19 disease and provided that no period of six months has passed since the date of sampling of their initial positive diagnosis:
Provided that, on the date of commencement of operation of the Institutions in physical presence, a negative laboratory or rapid antigen detection test is required with sampling carried out within 72 hours prior to the establishment of the Foundation in a physical presence, either a vaccination certificate for COVID-19 disease at least at one dose and provided that a period of three weeks has passed after the date of vaccination, or proof of release in cases where they have been ill with COVID-19 and provided that no period of six months has passed since the date of sampling of their initial positive diagnosis, (v) for all staff and workers the school units and institutions of all levels referred to in subparagraphs (i) to (iv) shall be required before their return to the school unit/institution for the first time to have a negative laboratory or rapid antigen detection test carried out within 72 hours; , either a vaccination certificate for COVID-19 disease at least at one dose and provided that a period of three weeks has passed after the date of vaccination, or proof of release in the case of persons ill with COVID-19 and provided that no period of six months has passed since the date of sampling of their initial positive diagnosis,
(r) All private care centres and private training centres, including social activities, may operate, in compliance with the guidelines of the Ministries of Health and Education, Culture, Sport and Youth with a physical presence and subject to the following conditions: (i) depending on the capacity of each room in the premises and with a minimum number of physical presence, if the manager of the care home so wishes, the 7 persons , including the trainer, (ii) indoor nurseries require persons aged 12 years and over to have either a negative laboratory or rapid antigen detection test for COVID-19 disease on a weekly basis, or a vaccination certificate for COVID-19 disease at least at one dose and provided that a period of three weeks has passed after the date of vaccination. , or proof of release in the case of persons ill with COVID-19 disease and provided that no period of six months has passed since the date of sampling of their initial positive diagnosis, (iii) social activities carried out indoors require persons aged 12 years to have either a negative laboratory or rapid antigen detection test for COVID-19 disease with sampling carried out within 72 hours; , either a vaccination certificate for COVID-19 disease at least at one dose and provided that a period of three weeks has passed, or proof of release in cases where they have been ill with COVID-19 and provided that no period of six months has passed since the date of sampling of their initial positive diagnosis,
(s) The following shall apply to retail undertakings: (i) the measure of one person per 10 sq.m. shall be complied with. at least, useful space, (ii) in large stores over 500 sq.m., which market a wide range of products, control is ensured in the presence of an authorized person of the store at the entrances for not exceeding the maximum number of physical presence of customers, (iii) in large stores over 500 sq.m. , which market a wide range of products, with the exception of essential food retailers and pharmacies, persons aged 12 years and over are required to have either a negative laboratory or rapid antigen detection test for COVID-19 disease with sampling carried out within 72 hours, or a vaccination certificate for COVID-19 disease at least at one dose and provided that a period of three weeks has passed after the date of vaccination. , or proof of release in the case of persons ill with COVID-19 disease and provided that no period of six months has passed since the date of sampling of their initial positive diagnosis, (iv) measures shall be taken to signal the distance of at least 2 metres, which must be observed by customers during their service, both inside and outside premises, and to post at the entrances to the premises the maximum number of persons who may be present within the premises; on the basis of the guidelines issued by the Ministries of Health and Labour, Welfare and Social Insurance,
(t) Shopping centres shall be subject to the following:
(i) comply with the measure of one person per 10 sq.m. as a minimum overall in the premises of the shopping centre and in addition to ensuring control in the presence of an authorised person of the shopping centre at its entrances for failure to exceed the maximum number of physical presence of customers, (ii) it is necessary for persons aged 12 years and over to have either a negative laboratory or rapid antigen detection test for COVID-19 disease with sampling carried out within 72 hours; , either a vaccination certificate for COVID-19 disease at least at one dose and provided that a period of three weeks has passed after the date of vaccination, or evidence of release in the case of persons ill with COVID-19 and provided that no period of six months has passed since the date of sampling of their initial positive diagnosis, (iii) measures shall be taken to signal the distance of at least 2 metres. , which must be observed by customers during their service both inside and outside shopping centres and must post at their entrances the maximum number of persons who may be in the shopping centre, on the basis of the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health:
Provided that retail undertakings within shopping centres are required to comply by analogy with the provisions of paragraph (s),
(u) Conferences and trade fairs may be held; with a completeness not exceeding 50% of the capacity of the premises and required indoors, for persons over 12 years of age the possession of either a negative laboratory test or a rapid antigen detection test for COVID-19 disease with sampling carried out within 72 hours , either a vaccination certificate for COVID-19 disease at least at one dose and provided that a period of three weeks has passed after the date of vaccination, or proof of release in the case of persons ill with COVID-19 and provided that no period of six months has passed since the date of sampling of their initial positive diagnosis,
(v) Gambling and betting businesses may operate, in compliance with the guidelines of the Ministry of Health and the National Betting Authority, without the use of table seats indoors: It is understood that the use of table seats in the outdoor areas of gambling and betting companies is permitted, in compliance with the guidelines of the Ministry of Health and the National Betting Authority;
(w) Casinos may operate with a occupancy not exceeding 50% of the capacity of the premises; in compliance with the guidelines of the Ministry of Health and requires the possession of either a negative laboratory or rapid antigen detection test for COVID-19 disease with sampling carried out within 72 hours, or a vaccination certificate for COVID-19 disease at least at one dose and provided that a period of three weeks has passed after the date of vaccination , or proof of release in the case of persons ill with COVID-19 disease and provided that no period of six months has passed since the date of sampling of their initial positive diagnosis,
(x) Archaeological sites, museums, historical sites, visual arts spaces and galleries, having regard to the guidelines of the Ministry of Health and provided that persons aged 12 years and over have either a negative laboratory or rapid antigen detection test for COVID-19 disease with sampling carried out within 72 hours, or a vaccination certificate for COVID-19 disease at least with one dose and provided that a period of three weeks has passed after the date of vaccination, or evidence of release in the case of persons ill with COVID-19 disease and provided that no period of six months has passed since the date of sampling of their initial positive diagnosis,
(y) (i) Plano-sale and haggling are permitted; provided that a sale permit is held by the competent Municipal or Community Authority and in compliance with the guidelines of the Ministry of Health, (ii) from 10 June 2021 popular celebrations may be held in the adjacent places of religious worship, in compliance with the guidelines of the Ministry of Health,
(z) Hairdressers, barbershops, beauty centres and tattoo centres may be operated. , in compliance with the guidelines of the Ministry of Health,
(aa) (i) theatres, amphitheatres, cinemas and theatres with a maximum number of 50 spectators or with a occupancy of 50% of the capacity of the premises indoors and 50% of the capacity of the premises outdoors are permitted, (ii) indoors, for persons aged 12 years and over, either a negative laboratory test or a rapid antigen detection test for COVID-19 disease is required with sampling carried out within 72 hours, either a vaccination certificate for COVID-19 disease at least at one dose and provided that a period of three weeks has passed after the date of vaccination, or evidence of release in the case of persons sick with COVID-19 and provided that no period of six months has passed since the date of sampling of their initial positive diagnosis,
(ab) children's, amusement parks and theme parks may be operated and from 16 June 2021 social events may be held in these areas, on the basis of the guidelines of the Ministry of Health and indoors for persons aged 12 years and over, a negative laboratory examination or rapid antigen detection test for COVID-19 disease is required, with sampling carried out within 72 hours; either a vaccination certificate for COVID-19 disease at least at one dose and provided that a period of three weeks has passed after the date of vaccination, or evidence of release in the case of persons sick with COVID-19 and provided that no period of six months has passed since the date of sampling of their initial positive diagnosis;
(ac) From 16 June 2021 campgrounds may be operated, in compliance with the guidelines of the Ministry of Health, (o) Construction sites and wider construction sites, as well as undertakings of similar activity, may operate, in accordance with the guidelines of the Ministries of Health and Labour, Welfare and Social Insurance,
(ad)The operation of hotels and/or tourist accommodation is permitted in compliance with the guidelines of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Tourism and for persons aged 12 years and over for overnight stays and/or use of their interiors and infrastructures, it is necessary to possess either a negative laboratory examination or a rapid antigen detection test for COVID-19 disease with sampling carried out within 72 hours, or a vaccination certificate for COVID-19 disease at least at one dose and provided that a period of three weeks has passed after the date of vaccination , or proof of release in the case of persons ill with COVID-19 disease and provided that no period of six months has passed since the date of sampling of their initial positive diagnosis,
(ae) Restaurants (restaurants, taverns, cafes, pubs, snack bars and bars, cafes, dining areas within shopping centres, dining areas within hotels and tourist accommodations, canteens and/or sports groups) are allowed to operate, cultural groups, associations, associations, etc.), in compliance with the guidelines of the Ministry of Health and subject to the following conditions: (i) the service of the public is carried out exclusively in table seats, in compliance with the guidelines of the Ministry of Health, (ii) the maximum number of persons per table is eight (8) persons, (iii) the operation and use of bars in these areas, is limited solely to the preparation of food or drink by workers and direct service from the bar is prohibited, (iv) indoors persons aged 12 years and over possess negative laboratory or rapid antigen detection test for COVID-19 disease with sampling carried out within 72 hours , either a vaccination certificate for COVID-19 disease at least at one dose and provided that a period of three weeks has passed after the date of vaccination, or proof of release in the case of persons ill with COVID-19 and provided that no period of six months has passed since the date of sampling of their initial positive diagnosis,
(af) From 10 June 2021, nightclubs, banquet halls, record shops, entertainment centres and music and dance venues may be operated, subject to the guidelines of the Ministry of Health and subject to the following conditions:
(i) the public is served at table, (ii) the maximum number of persons per table is eight (8) persons; (iii) the operation and use of bars in these areas is limited solely to the preparation of food or beverages by workers and direct service from the bar (iii) within the interiors is prohibited persons aged 12 years and over holding a negative laboratory or rapid antigen detection test for COVID-19 disease with sampling carried out within 72 hours; either a vaccination certificate for COVID-19 disease at least at one dose and provided that a period of three weeks has passed after the date of vaccination, or evidence of release in the case of persons sick with COVID-19 and provided that no period of six months has passed since the date of sampling of their initial positive diagnosis;
(ag) For areas where access under this Decree requires the possession of either a negative laboratory examination or a rapid antigen detection test for COVID-19 disease, a vaccination certificate or a decommitment receipt in the case of persons sick with COVID-19 disease, persons who are not permanently resident in the Republic and who are legally entering the Republic:
(i) through Larnaca and Paphos airports they hold as evidence the Cyprus Flight Card they secure through platform www.cyprusflightpass.gov.cy, and (ii) through the legal points of entry into the Republic by sea, in the case of cruise ship passengers they hold the receipt they secure from the cruise ship as a disembarkation card and in the case of passengers of pleasure craft hold the proof they secure from the Marina Manager to which they dock; subject to the guidelines of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works and the Ministry of Maritime Affairs,
(ah) Until 9 June 2021 private service undertakings, with the exception of essential services, work remotely and allow the physical presence of workers not exceeding 50% of the total number of employees and from 10 June 2021 the physical presence of all workers is permitted ,
(ai) Subject to the provisions of this Regulation, the competent authority, pursuant to the Public Service Laws 1990 to 2020 and/or the relevant laws governing the operation of Independent Services and/or State Secretaries, shall continue until 9 June 2021 to determine the needs of staff in relation to distance work and physical presence at work, on the proper functioning of the Office: (i) until 9 June 2021 the State and wider state sectors work remotely and with the physical presence of the necessary staff at work, not exceeding 50% of the staff in order to ensure the smooth functioning of the Service and the service of citizens to cover emergencies and from 10 June 2021 the arrangements for distance work are terminated and staff work in a physical presence at work unless and where the competent authority decides otherwise; : It is understood that external construction sites/workshops shall continue their work in compliance with the relevant health protocols, (ii) for essential services as set out in paragraph
(aj) of this Decree, the competent authority shall make the necessary arrangements to ensure, as far as possible, the physical presence at work for the proper functioning of the Office and the State; (iii) workers, who fall within the list of categories of citizens with risk factors for serious disease from COVID-19 Coronavirus disease, as defined by the Ministry of Health in a published list dated 29 December 2020 and/or in any future revision thereof and who do not wish to return to their workplaces, shall be obliged to perform at home tasks assigned to them by distance workers. If they do not wish to perform distance duties, they must apply for special leave on grounds of public health for the period during which such beneficiaries will be compensated at a rate of 60% of their earnings by their employer concerned, (iv) in cases where, by reason of the nature of the work, distance work is not permitted, depending on the needs of the Office, a request for special leave may be made on grounds of public health.
