Filenews 26 July 2021
The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works recalls that, following a decision of the Council of Ministers dated 2 July 2021, from 1 August 2021, new criteria for carrying out the PCR laboratory test at Larnaca and Paphos airports enter into force.
In particular, from 1 August 2021 the option to carry out laboratory tests on arrival at Larnaca and Paphos Airports will continue to be offered only to the following categories of Cypriot citizens and permanently resident in the Republic of Cyprus:
i. Those who have carried out at least the first dose of two doses of vaccines accepted by the Republic of Cyprus
ii. Underage passengers 12 - 15 years old
iii. Passengers proven for medical reasons cannot be vaccinated
It is stressed that if the above passengers travel from a country falling into the red category and choose to carry out the laboratory examination on arrival in Cyprus, they should remain in a mandatory self-limit regime for 72 hours after their arrival. In addition, they will have to carry out a new laboratory test for COVID-19 disease and cover the costs themselves. If the result of the examination is negative, their self-limit is terminated, in compliance with the guidelines of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works.
For those Cypriot citizens and legal residents in the Republic of Cyprus who do not meet the above conditions, from 1 August 2021 they must follow the health protocol in force on the basis of the categorization of the countries from which they travel to Cyprus. For example, if they choose to travel to Cyprus using a PCR laboratory test, from a country that has been associated with the Orange, Red or Grey category, they will have to present the laboratory test with a validity of 72 hours upon departure.
It is recalled that passengers who are fully vaccinated with vaccines accepted by the Republic of Cyprus, as well as passengers holding a certificate of recovery after 14 days from the date of sampling of the PCR positive result, with a validity period of 6 months in the form of the European Digital Certificate (EU Digital COVID Certificate (EUDCC)), are excluded from any restrictions (no laboratory testing and/or quarantine self-limitation required).
