Filenews 5 May 2023
The mandatory self-isolation in the Republic of Cyprus for cases diagnosed positive for COVID-19 is lifted, in accordance with the new decree of the Ministry of Health.
As the Ministry of Health states if you have been diagnosed with COVID-19:
- Inform your personal doctor about the positive result and your associated symptoms to receive a medical assessment, relevant treatment and sick leave if necessary
- Isolate yourself from other people for at least 5 days from diagnosis or as directed by your Personal Doctor
- Wear a dual disposable medical face mask or high-protection mask (FFP2, N95) if you need to be around other people for at least 10 days of diagnosis
Obligation to wear a protective mask
Employees and visitors over 12 years old in hospitals, nursing homes and other care and accommodation structures for elderly and vulnerable groups must use a mask
Obligation to examine
Demonstration of a negative PCR test or rapid test of 72 hours is required for:
- visits to hospitals, nursing homes and other closed care and accommodation structures for elderly and vulnerable groups
- New asylum seekers before entering reception or detention centres
- New inmates entering detention facilities and prisons
The result is considered valid if it was made in a licensed clinical laboratory, pharmacy or mobile unit of the Ministry of Health.
It is noted that the maximum price of the PCR test is set at €25 while the rapid test is set at €5.
Guidelines for confirmed COVID-19 cases*
The mandatory self-isolation in the Republic of Cyprus for cases diagnosed positive for COVID-19 is lifted, in accordance with the new decree of the Ministry of Health.
As the ministry states. Health if you have been diagnosed with COVID-19:
- Inform your personal doctor about the positive result and your associated symptoms to receive a medical assessment, relevant treatment and sick leave if necessary
- Isolate yourself from other people for at least 5 days from diagnosis or as directed by your Personal Doctor
- Wear a dual disposable medical face mask or high-protection mask (FFP2, N95) if you need to be around other people for at least 10 days of diagnosis
Avoid contact with people who are at increased risk of becoming seriously ill from COVID-19. This includes pregnant women, people aged 60 and older, and people who have weakened immune systems.
In case of development of symptoms or worsening of symptoms, the Personal Doctor should be informed accordingly.
Guidelines for close contacts of confirmed positive COVID-19 cases
Close contacts, regardless of vaccination coverage and recent illness, are not required to self-isolate. However, it is recommended for all contacts to carry out sampling at their own expense on the day of their notification and between the 3rd and 5th day from the date of their last contact with the case. In addition, close contacts are advised to avoid contact with vulnerable people, especially if they experience any symptoms. In case of symptoms, contact their Personal Doctor and repeat the examination.
*There are special protocols for the management of positive cases who work or are hospitalized in hospitals or reside in nursing homes, migrant reception centres and closed structures.
The Decree of the Ministry of Health:
The Minister of Health, exercising the powers granted to her by article 6(a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (g) of the Infectious Diseases Law, Cap. 260 and which were assigned to it by the Decision of the Council of Ministers dated 15 February 2023, issues the following Decree:
Because the protection of public health and the health care system are the responsibility of the Republic; and
Because by a Notification published in the Official Gazette of the Republic, following the authorization of the Council of Ministers, the Minister of Health declared local areas infected with the COVID-19 Coronavirus pursuant to article 4 of the Infectious Diseases Law, Cap. 260, the Districts of Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaka, Famagusta and Paphos; and
Due to an improvement in epidemiological indicators and a decrease in the number of hospitalized with COVID-19, the following Regulations are issued for the Districts of Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaka, Famagusta and Paphos:
1. This Decree shall be referred to as the Infectious Diseases (Determination of Measures to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19) (Amendment) Decree (No. 6) of 2023 and shall be read together with the Infectious Diseases (Determination of Measures to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19) Decree (No. 5) of 2023 (hereinafter referred to as "the Basic Decree") and the Basic Decree and this Decree shall be referred to together as the Infectious Diseases (Determination of Measures for Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 Coronavirus) Decrees (No. 5) to (No. 6) of 2023.
2. Regulation 2 of the Basic Decree is amended as follows: (a) by deleting the words "within 48 hours" (sixth line) and replacing it with "within 72 hours", and (b) by deleting the words "within 24 hours" (seventh line) and replacing it with "within 72 hours".
3. Regulation 4 of the Basic Decree is deleted and replaced by the following new Regulation 4:
"4. The use of a protective face mask is mandatory for all employees as well as for visitors aged 12 and over, indoors of state and private hospitals, nursing homes and other care and accommodation structures for elderly and vulnerable groups, except in cases specified by guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare.".
4. The Basic Decree is amended by adding, immediately after Regulation 7, the following new Regulations 7 A and 7 B:
"7A. COVID-19 cases may be hospitalized in all licensed private and state hospitals.
7B. Trainees and trainee doctors, who are absent from their duties due to the fact that they have contracted COVID-19, outside the scope of their duties, are given the use of the usual sick leave and are given the opportunity to use all the sick leave they are entitled to for the year (and in the case of trainee doctors for the semester) and not only the accrued time, provided that this becomes accrued leave by the end of 2023: It is understood that, in the event that for any reason their education in the context of their specialty is terminated, they are obliged to return to the State the amount corresponding to the basis of the accrued leave to which they were entitled at that time. 5. Regulation 8 of the Basic Decree is repealed.
6. Regulation 9 of the Basic Decree is deleted and replaced by the following new Regulation 9: "9. The owner and/or director and/or administrator of nursing homes, closed 24-hour care facilities for people with disabilities, structures and hostels hosting vulnerable groups, is obliged to comply with the guidelines of the Ministry of Health and the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare for the conduct of a laboratory test (PCR) and/or rapid antigen test for COVID-19 for staff and residents and/or residents of the structures mentioned herein Regulation'. 7. The Basic Decree is amended by adding, immediately after Regulation 13, the following new Regulation 13A: "13A. Employees of Public Hospitals, Health Services, Administration of the Ministry of Health and its Departments, as well as members of the Police, who in the years 2020 and 2021, had accumulated and carried over to the following year up to 20 days of rest leave, regardless of the total number of days of rest leave they may have accumulated, shall receive this leave until December 31, 2023. 8. This Decree shall enter into force upon its publication in the Official Gazette of the Republic.
