Filenews 13 December 2021
Clarifications on the decisions of the Council of Ministers, taken today, December 13, aimed at limiting the spread of the coronavirus, are released by the Ministry of Health.
Analytically:
(a) As of December 16, 2021, vaccination against Covid-19 of children aged 5-11 years, with vaccinations carried out in Maternity Protection and Child Welfare Centres of the Ministry of Health in all provinces.
- The vaccine will be administered to children only after an appointment has been arranged. More information will be given in a relevant announcement.
(b) From 15 December 2021 until 15 January 2022, vaccinated persons who have been declared as close contacts of a confirmed case are required to undergo rapid antigen detection tests within 72 hours and on the 7nd day a PCR laboratory test free of charge through public health clinics.
- Individuals who received the booster/3rd vaccine dose are excluded.
- Instructions for arranging an appointment for the PCR laboratory test will be given by the Personal Physicians.
(c) As of 15 December 2021, mandatory restriction of persons whose sequencing test of their positive samples concerns the Omikron strain, or any possible future mutation. It is understood that the contacts of these cases are obliged to remain in self-isolation, regardless of vaccination coverage, following the protocol of the Ministry of Health.
- People with positive samples to the Omikron mutation are required to remain in self-isolation in their place of residence.
- Contacts of positive cases in the Omicron mutation remain in self-isolation in their place of residence.
(d) Review on 15 January 2022 of the previous decision of the Council of Ministers to abolish SafePass to those persons who do not receive the booster/3rd dose of vaccine against Covid-19 after the lapse of 7 months, after the relevant notification that the Member States will receive from the European Union.
- However, as of December 18, individuals for whom the period of 7 months from the second dose of vaccination for double-dose vaccines and one dose for the single-dose vaccine has elapsed, for SafePass purposes, should undergo a 72-hour PCR laboratory test or a 48-hour rapid antigen detection test for people aged 18 years and over.
- The Rapid test will be provided free of charge through the sampling points of the Ministry of Health.
(e) As of December 15, 2021, an exemption from the mandatory SafePass possession check through the CovScan Cyprus application of people who are proven and following a decision of the Medical Council are not recommended to be vaccinated.
- These individuals should present the special card issued to them by the Ministry of Health and at the same time a Rapid laboratory test or PCR test on a weekly basis with a negative result.
- The examination will be provided to them free of charge by presenting the special card.
(f) From 15 December 2021 until 31 January 2022, admission to social events, such as weddings, christenings and dining areas within the hotel units, shall be allowed only to persons who have received at least one dose of the vaccine on condition that they possess a negative result of a pcr laboratory test or a rapid antigen rapid test.
- The previous decision of the Council of Ministers also applies to the following areas: indoor and outdoor courts, theatres, cinemas, performance spaces, music and dance centres, nightclubs and restaurants.
- It is clarified that people who completed their vaccination regimen with two doses in case of double-dose vaccines and one dose in case of a single-dose vaccine, it is not necessary to possess a negative result of a PCR test or Rapid test, - this applies also to people who received the booster dose of vaccine.
- Individuals for whom a period of 7 months has elapsed since the completion of their vaccination regimen with two doses in case of double-dose vaccines, and one dose in case of a single-dose vaccine, are entitled to enter these areas with a negative PCR test result or Rapid test.
- It is clarified that people who have become ill within the last 6 months, it is not necessary to possess a negative result of a PCR test or Rapid test.
(g) As of 15 December 2021, passengers arriving in the Republic of Cyprus are required to undergo a Rapid Antigen Rapid Test rapid test after 72 hours from the day of their arrival.
- The Rapid antigen rapid test will be provided to them free of charge through the sampling points of the Ministry of Health, presenting the boarding pass and proof of identification (ID card, passport).
- Individuals who received the booster/3rd dose of vaccine are excluded.
