Cyprus Mail 23 February 2022 - by Constantinos Tsindas
The health ministry on Wednesday announced the “protocols on dancing” which set the specifications for nightclubs, entertainment centres and other related venues.
In effect from 10 am on Thursday, the start of the carnival season, the protocols state that the maximum number of people will be 500 provided that there is 1.5 square metres per person.
The rules are in force for three different types of areas, according to their space and whether dancing takes place.
The first list is for venues with over 225 square metres of serviceable space (kitchens, toilets and storage units are excluded) and serve over 150 people along with dancing taking place.
Entrance is permitted under the following conditions: those aged 12 and above must have a negative rapid test taken within the past 15 hours – regardless of vaccination or recovery status – while those aged 6-11 must have a negative rapid test valid within the past seven days, recovery and vaccination status for this group also not taken into account.
The health ministry said the owner/manager of such centres are “obligated” to inform the ministry in writing and send an official statement to healthservices@mphs.moh.gov.cy.
The second is for venues in which there are over 150 people but no dancing, different rules apply.
Entrance is permitted under the following conditions: the unvaccinated must provide proof of a negative rapid/PCR test taken within the past 24 hours, those aged 12 and above who are vaccinated, boosted or have recovered do not need to take a test.
The above protocols (for areas without dancing) also apply to venues which have capacity for under 150 persons – regardless of whether or not there is dancing.
The above criteria of a person’s eligibility will be checked in either print or electronic form, while the document must be cross-refenced to the corresponding person’s ID, passport, driving licence, or birth certificates for those aged under 12.
