MINISTRY OF HEALTH - CLARIFICATION REGARDING LATEST MEASURES

 Filenews 7 January 2022

The Ministry of Health proceeded with clarifications on the decisions of the Council of Ministers on Wednesday, January 5, 2022, concerning new measures against the pandemic.

More specifically, in relation to:

(a) the operation of all public and private primary and secondary education schools on January 10, 2022, as previously decided by the Council of Ministers.

• It is recalled that all students, teachers and other staff on their return on January 10, 2022, will have to present a negative Rapid test with a power of 48 hours.

• Children under 6 years of age are excluded.

• It is recalled that pre-primary, kindergartens and nurseries are reopening normally from January 7, 2022.

(b) From 10 January 2022, primary school students in private and public schools must present a negative Rapid test twice a week.

• The mobile units of the Ministry of Health will continue to visit the schools for the rapid test, to better serve the students.

• It is recalled that, in secondary education, students present a negative Rapid test with a power of 72 hours.

• It is recalled that students who have completed their vaccination program (two doses) or hold a certificate of illness valid for 180 days are excluded from the above obligation.

(c) As of January 6, 2022, the number of gatherings in homes is reduced to 10 people

• The 10 people do not include children up to 12 years old.

(d) As of January 10, 2022, a maximum of 200 people is set for restaurants, nightclubs, music and dance centres, weddings and christenings, in compliance with health protocols and the maximum number of people per square meter that is in force.

• The maximum number of people per table is set at 8 people.

• It is reminded that the service is done exclusively in table seats.

• It is reminded that in the above areas dance is prohibited.

(e) As of January 6, 2022, a maximum of 200 people is set for churches and places of religious worship, in compliance with the health protocols and the maximum number of persons per square meter in force.

• It is reminded that for all indoor and outdoor areas, citizens are obliged to wear a protective mask and keep the necessary distances.

• It is recommended that citizens use a double surgical mask or a high-protection mask (KN95 type or FFP2 type).

• It is recommended to avoid the use of a cloth protective face mask.

 (f) As of January 6, 2022, it is mandatory to show a proof of identification, during a Safepass audit in the areas where required, with authorized officers and/or managers of premises/businesses proceeding to the identification of data.

• Proof of identification (ID card, passport).

(g) As of January 10, 2022, the percentage of teleworking is increased up to 50% of the staff of each company or organization in the service sector as well as for the public and wider public sector

• It is clarified that, this percentage includes people who, due to illness or declaration as close contact with a confirmed case, are placed in self-isolation and work from home and people who made use of their rest leave.

• Priority should be given to people belonging to vulnerable groups.

• The measure of teleworking excludes businesses that employ up to 10 people.

• Essential services are excluded where the respective Supervisor regulates remote work, depending on the needs of the Service.

• Employees who have completed their vaccination program against Covid-19 with the two doses for dosing vaccines and one dose for the single-dose vaccine, or hold a certificate of disease (valid for 180 days) are required to present a negative test of rapid antigen detection test Rapid test with a power of 7 days. The audit is carried out by showing a text message or presenting the result in printed form.

• Workers who received the booster/3rd dose of vaccine in the case of two-dose vaccines or 2nd dose in the case of a single-dose vaccine are excluded.

• Employees (18+) who have not received any dose of vaccine are required to present a negative PCR test with a power of 72 hours or a Rapid test with a power of 48 hours. The check is done through the CovScan Cyprus application.

• For vaccinated persons or persons who have contracted COVID-19 or persons who are exempt from vaccination for medical reasons, the Rapid test is given free of charge at the sampling points. This also applies to persons who have received at least one dose of vaccine and the period required to take the^2nd dose has not expired.

• Each organization, company, company, company, may set a specific day on which the employees will be checked for the weekly Rapid test.

• It is clarified that if a transmission chain is recorded in a workplace, all workers without exception will undergo a Rapid antigen rapid test.

(h) As of January 10, 2022, accommodation and visit to hotel units/tourist accommodation will be allowed only to people who have completed their vaccination program or who have begun their vaccination program and the time required to receive the 2nd or 3rd dose of vaccine has not expired.

• Entry is allowed to persons who have received at least one dose of the vaccine, provided that the period required for the 2nd dose has not expired. Until the time period for receiving the 2nd dose has expired or, in the case of a single-dose vaccine, 14 days, citizens are obliged to present a negative Rapid test which is provided to them free of charge.

(i) provision of an additional package with 5 self-tests to people aged 18 years and over who have completed their vaccination program or hold a certificate of disease (duration 180 days)

• The self-test package will also be given to children aged 12-17 who have received at least one dose of vaccine and the period required to take the 2nd dose has not expired or hold a certificate of disease.

• Citizens who did not receive the wrapping will be able to do so by 20 January 2022.

• The date of the 2nd self-test package to citizens will be announced within the next few days. [now advised - by 20 January]

(j) Close contacts regardless of the history of vaccination or disease, will be subjected to a rapid antigen detection test on the 3rd and 5th day from the last day of contact with the case

• The Rapid test tests will be conducted free of charge in units designated by the Ministry of Health and the procedure to be followed will be announced in the coming days.

What applies on a case-by-case basis to close contacts:

Booster dose of vaccine ( booster), in effect from the same day from the booster dose:

• The person is not obliged to limit himself, provided that the Personal Protection Measures are observed (mask, hand hygiene, keeping distance from other people, reducing contacts, self-control for symptoms). Recommendation for Rapid test on the 3rd and 5th day through the tracing process that will be provided free of charge.

Full vaccination with any vaccine recognized by the Republic of Cyprus (2 doses of vaccine or 1 dose of monododosic vaccine + 14 days) and the period of 7 months from the last dose has not elapsed:

• The person is not obliged to limit himself, provided that the Personal Protection Measures are observed (mask, hand hygiene, keeping distance from other people, reducing contacts, self-control for symptoms). Mandatory Rapid test on the 3rd and 5th day through the tracing process that will be provided free of charge. Recommendation for PCR on the 7th day of contact.

People who have previously been diagnosed/ill as cases with PCR or Rapid Antigen Test and have not elapsed 90 days since their release:

• The person is not obliged to limit himself, provided that the Personal Protection Measures are observed (mask, hand hygiene, keeping distance from other people, reducing contacts, self-control for symptoms). Mandatory Rapid test on the 3rd and 5th day through the tracing process that will be provided free of charge. Recommendation for PCR on the 7th day of contact.

Full vaccination with any vaccine recognized by the Republic of Cyprus (2 doses of vaccine or 1 dose of monododosic vaccine + 14 days) but the period of 7 months from the last dose has elapsed:

• The person is required to self-quarantine for 14 days from contact with a confirmed case. Release earlier than 14 days can be done with PCR test (with negative result) on the 7th day of contact or later, at a cost paid by the person concerned. Mandatory Rapid test on the 3rd and 5th day through the tracing process that will be provided free of charge.

People without a history of vaccination or disease:

• The person is required to self-quarantine for 14 days from contact with a confirmed case. Release earlier than 14 days can be done with PCR test (with negative result) on the 7th day of contact or later at a cost paid by the person concerned. Mandatory Rapid test on the 3rd and 5th day through the tracing process that will be provided free of charge.

• Healthcare professionals for whom the protocol announced on December 29, 2021 applies are excluded.

((k) from 6 January 2022, the prohibition of expenses/overnight stays of residents from closed structures and nursing homes.

• It is recalled that visits to state and private hospitals, closed facilities and nursing homes are allowed only if approval is given by the management after presentation of a negative PCR laboratory test valid for 24 hours for urgent and only exceptional cases.

((l) from 6 January 2022, the lifting of the mandatory state quarantine of passengers coming from South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Botswana.

(m) as of January 6, 2022, those arriving in the Republic of Cyprus who refuse to undergo a PCR laboratory test, will be subjected to a state quarantine for the period of 14 days.

• They will only be able to be released earlier if they consent to a PCR laboratory test. The costs of quarantine and examination will be borne by the citizen himself.

(n) as of 6 January 2022, all passengers aged 12 years and over arriving in the Republic of Cyprus, without exception, must be in possession of a pcr laboratory test lasting at least 72 hours prior to their departure to the Republic.