Filenews 30 July 2021
Answers to frequently asked questions about cabinet decisions given by the Ministry of Health.
The Ministry of Health gives clear answers, for the presentation of SafePass, the vaccination of minors and also for the beneficiaries of rapid tests.
- Where SafePass is required to be presented ;
In all indoor and outdoor areas as well as premises where, in compliance with the distancing measures in accordance with the relevant guidelines and health protocols, it is possible to gather more than 10 persons, including workers, the production of SafePass is required for persons aged 12 years and over. It is recalled that the places where SafePass presentation is required include retail, beverage and food retailers, dining areas, nightclubs, etc.
Businesses/premises shall ensure that they indicate in a prominent area outside their business/premises the maximum number of customers allowed to be in the premises. In addition, it is necessary, as indicated in a prominent area outside their business/premises, whether or not safePass is required, taking into account both the number of employees and customers.
For example, SafePass is not required, since in a bakery or mini-market, based on square meters, 6 customers are allowed to be on site at any time and there are 4 employees. SafePass is required in a retail store if, based on square metres, 7 customers and 4 employees are allowed on site.
SafePass beaches, parks and linear parks, dams, squares, nature trails and excursion areas are excluded from the SafePass production requirement.
2. What is required to enter private hospitals or hospitals of the OKY?
In order to enter private sector or OKY hospitals, all persons aged 12 years and over must own and present SafePass. The measure affects both visitors and outpatients, and it is understood that employees must necessarily have SafePass, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Ordinance.
3. What is required for entry to nursing homes and other closed structures?
For entry to nursing homes and other closed care structures for elderly and vulnerable groups, all persons aged 12 years and over must hold and present either a vaccination certificate, a certificate of recovery from COVID-19 disease within the last 180 days or a negative result from a PCR examination valid for 72 hours. This measure shall be complied with by both visitors and workers in such premises. It is understood that the guidelines and health protocols of the Ministry of Social Welfare and the Ministry of Health are also complied with.
4. What applies to non-permanent residents in the Republic to ensure SafePass ;
All non-permanent residents of the Republic entering through the legal gateways must, for SafePass purposes, present the Cyprus Flight Pass for the first 7 days of their stay in the Republic. From the 7th day after their arrival (the day of arrival is considered day 0) and for as long as they remain in the Republic, they must undergo a PCR or rapid antigen test for SafePass assurance purposes. The obligation to carry out a test as mentioned above excludes holders of a vaccination certificate or recovery certificate from COVID-19 within the last 180 days.
5. Are vaccinations of minors allowed?
Yes, from Monday, 2 August 2021, vaccination of people aged 12-15 years is permitted, with mRNA vaccines (Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna), following the recommendation by the Paediatric Society of Cyprus and the Advisory Scientific Committee on Coronavirus.
Vaccination of persons aged 12-17 years is carried out with the necessary signed consent of both parents/legal guardians, in accordance with the procedure followed by the Ministry of Health.
6. What will apply to the holding of celebrations/festivals?
Celebrations/festivals may only be held in adjacent places of religious worship, provided that all attendees hold SafePass, including employees. The organizers of the celebrations must inform and obtain permission from the Health Services of the Ministry of Health by sending an e-mail to the e-healthservices@mphs.moh.gov.cy.
7. Which groups of the population will be entitled to carry out tests on mobile sampling units through the ministry of health's free programme?
Upon the necessary presentation of the evidence for identification purposes, the following groups may carry out a free rapid test through the Ministry of Health's programme:
- Minors up to 17 years old. It is understood that children aged 12-17 years, who do not have the consent of their parents/legal guardians for vaccination, may carry out a free rapid test through the Ministry of Health programme.
- Persons aged 18 years and over who cannot undergo vaccination with documentation with a medical certificate, and after their request has been examined by the Cyprus Medical Association and the Ministry of Health and given approval.
- Pregnant women, who cannot for medical reasons undergo vaccination, with the necessary production of medical certificate
- People who have received the first dose of the vaccine for the three weeks that they are required to do the test to secure a SafePass. A vaccination card must be presented for confirmation
- People who have completed their vaccination but wish to do the test in order to monitor their health or for other reasons. They must present their vaccination card.
- People who have a certificate of recovery from Covid in the last 180 days but wish to do the test in order to monitor their health, or for other reasons. They must present their recovery certificate.
In order to monitor the epidemiological situation, the ministry said it will continue its checks in closed facilities, care comes and other facilities which house high risk or vulnerable people.
