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In view of the increase in
passenger traffic at the airports of the Republic of Cyprus, due to the
summer season, attention is focused on minimising the possibility of
introducing virus mutations in the community of Cyprus. Due to the aggressive
transmissibility and serious illness caused by the British and Indian strains
in particular in younger people, the European Centre for Disease Prevention
and Control (ECDC) calls on states to implement measures to limit the possibility
of spreading. In line with the recommendations of the ECDC and the measures
taken at national level, it is recalled that at the points of entry of
Cyprus, inter alia, the following apply:
1. Categorisation of countries
in Green, Orange, Red and Grey Category, according to their epidemiological
picture.
2. Only certain categories of
citizens are allowed to enter from Grey Category countries.
3. Necessary conditions for
entry into the country:
- Presentation of a certificate
of vaccination against COVID-19 (complete vaccination scheme), or
- Presentation of a negative
result from a PCR test, as follows:
• Orange Category countries
(e.g. United Kingdom, United States of America, Italy, Germany, etc.):
Certificate from a PCR test with a negative result, with sampling carried out
72 hours prior to departure.
• Red Category countries (e.g.
Russia, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Greece, France, Spain, etc.):
Certificates from two PCR tests with negative results, with sampling carried
out within 72 hours. Individuals must remain in self-isolation until the
outcome of the second test is issued.
• Grey Category countries:
Certificates from two PCR tests with negative results, with sampling carried
out within 72 hours. Persons are required to remain in compulsory self-isolation
or quarantine of 14 days or 7 days provided that they undergo a PCR test on
day 7 with a negative result.
4. In the case of arrivals from
India (Grey Category), and in view of the highly burdened epidemiological
situation caused by the Indian mutation in the country, the following shall
apply:
- The entry of any person who,
during the 14 days preceding his/her arrival, was either residing or passed
through Indian territory shall be prohibited, irrespective of whether they
hold a valid entry permit and/or a residence permit in Cyprus. The exceptions
are Cypriot citizens, European citizens and citizens of European Economic
Area countries and third country nationals who have their exclusive permanent
residence in the areas under the control of the Republic.
- They present a negative PCR
test, with sampling carried out within 72 hours prior to departure.
- Any person exempted from the
entry ban shall be transported to hotels and/or tourist accommodation
facilities where they must remain in mandatory quarantine for a period of 10
days since their arrival date and shall undergo a laboratory test and be
released from the mandatory quarantine if they have a negative result.
5. Regardless of the category
of the country of arrival, sampling laboratory tests are carried out at
Larnaka and Pafos Airports on passengers who do not have a certificate of
vaccination against COVID-19.
However, despite the actions
taken, the possibility of introducing mutations cannot be completely
excluded. As evidenced by international research, the Indian strain is most
commonly detected in younger people, who due to their intense activity and
mobility have increased exposure to the virus and thus to the effects that
contamination may cause. The scientific community points out that the only
way to control the spread of virus strains in the community is to speed up
vaccination programs, so that there is immunity in the population as soon as
possible and the emergence of new strains with more aggressive
characteristics is prevented.
(EH/MG)
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