Filenews 25 June 2021 - by Adamos Adamou
Known rapid tests may have been widely used in Cyprus during the pandemic, but they will not be accepted as evidence that excludes those who arrive (or return from travel) on the island from the obligation of other diagnostic tests in the context of the implementation from 1 July of the EU DIGITAL COVID certificate.
This follows from the decision taken yesterday by the Council of Ministers to implement the relevant EU 'green passport' regulation. In particular, the Ministerial Decided that from 1 July, i.e. from next Thursday, digital COVID certificates for travel to Cyprus will be accepted, but not those issued only by the presentation of a rapid test. Under the decision, Cypriots returning to the country from a trip to a country falling into the red or orange category are also affected. If they are not fully vaccinated or have not recovered from coronavirus (with the appropriate certificate), they should undergo a PCR test and not just a rapid test.
As you know, the digital certificate, which will be issued free of charge in digital or printed form, will be evidence that someone has been vaccinated, has undergone a diagnostic test with a negative result (either with PCR or rapid test) or that they have recovered from COVID-19 disease.
Cyprus, on the basis of yesterday's decision of the Ministry of Ministers, will exclude from compulsory diagnostic PCR tests, on the basis of the categorization of each country that will remain in force, the holders of the digital certificate, provided that this is evidence of vaccination and that its holder has recovered from Covid disease.
Digital certificates issued after the presentation of a negative PCR test will also be accepted, but, if their holder falls into the "red" category of the relevant categorization of Cyprus, he will not be exempted from the obligation to submit a second PCR test upon his arrival in Cyprus. The latter will be valid for at least six weeks from 1 July, i.e. the adjustment period given by the EU Regulation for its full implementation will apply. The practice that will then apply will depend on the course of the pandemic.
