Following a decision of the Council of Ministers, dated 18 February 2021 (here in Greek), regarding the Action Plan for the gradual resumption of flights and the reopening of airports, the Epidemiological Surveillance Unit of the Ministry of Health re-evaluated the epidemiological picture of different countries as to COVID-19.
The classification for the countries of the European Union and the European Economic Area (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) including Switzerland in the Green, Orange or Red Categories is based on that of the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/covid-19/situation-updates/weekly-maps-coordinated-restriction-free-movement).
With regard to third countries (United Kingdom, Russia, Ukraine, Israel, Lebanon, United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Belarus) as well as those included in the updated list (https://reopen.europa.eu/en)of European Council Recommendation (EU) 2021/89, for the phasing out of temporary restrictions on unnecessary travel to the EU, they are epidemiologically assessed by the Ministry of Health and classified into Green, Orange, Red and Gray.
The following categorization of countries, based on epidemiological risk assessment, is extremely dynamic and can change at any time as the pandemic evolves and epidemiological data change. To this end, new data will be announced and the list of countries will be updated frequently.
Green Category Countries – Low risk countries at this stage
Members of the Schengen Area: 1) Iceland
Third Countries: 1) Australia, 2) New Zealand, 3) Singapore, 4) Saudi Arabia
It is noted that for passengers coming from Green Category countries, the presentation of a COVID-19 laboratory test certificate is not required, nor is it self-isolation.
It is clarified that for the period 1-31 March 2021, all passengers from Green Category countries will undergo a PCR laboratory test upon arrival in Cyprus, the cost of which will be covered by the Republic of Cyprus. From April 1, 2021, there will be no restrictions.
Orange Category Countries – Countries with potentially low risk but with more doubt compared to the Green Category
Member States of the European Union: 1) Denmark, 2) Finland
Members of the Schengen Area: 1) Norway
Third Countries: 1) China (including Hong Kong and Macau), 2) South Korea, 3) Thailand
It is noted that passengers coming from the countries of the orange category are required to have undergone a PCR laboratory test within 72 hours before departure and to have a certificate proving a negative PCR test for the virus.
It is also clarified that passengers from Orange Category countries falling into the following categories may undergo the molecular examination upon arrival in the Republic:
- Cypriot citizens and members of their families (their foreign spouses, and their minor children),
- Legal persons residing in the Republic,
- Persons entitled to enter the Republic under the Vienna Convention, and
- Individuals regardless of nationality, where as documented and following an announcement by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Cyprus, the Authorities of the residing country (Orange Category), do not provide laboratory analysis service.
It is noted that the cost of the test is covered by them and in addition these individuals will have to remain under house isolation until the result is issued.
Red Countries – Countries at higher risk compared to Green and Orange Countries:
Member States of the European Union: 1) Austria, 2) Belgium, 3) Bulgaria, 4) France, 5) Ireland, 6) Croatia, 7) Luxembourg, 8) Romania, 9) Spain, 10) Italy, 11) Malta, 12) Netherlands, 13) Hungary, 14) Poland, 15) Portugal, 16) Slovakia, 17) Slovenia, 18) Czech Republic, 19) Estonia, 20) Latvia, 21) Lithuania, 22) Sweden, 23) Germany, 24) Greece
Small states: 1) Andorra, 2) Monaco, 3) Vatican City, 4) San Marino
Members of the Schengen Area: 1) Switzerland, 2) Liechtenstein
It is noted that passengers coming from the Red Category countries are required: a) to have a laboratory test within 72 hours before departure and to have a certificate, which proves a negative PCR test for the virus and b) to perform laboratory test upon arrival in the Republic of Cyprus.
It is noted that the cost of the exams is covered by them and in addition these people will have to remain under house isolation until the result is issued.
The following categories may enter the Republic of Cyprus from countries of the Red Class having carried out, at their own expense, a laboratory test only upon arrival in the Republic of Cyprus:
- Cypriot citizens and members of their families (their foreign spouses and their minor children),
- The persons legally residing in the Republic, and
- Persons entitled to enter the Republic under the Vienna Convention.
In such a case, the persons referred to in points 1-3 above remain in a compulsory self-isolation regime for 72 hours after their arrival and after 72 hours undergo a molecular examination (PCR) at their own expense. If the result of the re-examination is negative, they are released from self-isolation. The result of the examination is sent to the email address monada@mphs.moh.gov.cy.
Gray Category Countries (Special License / Special Permission):
Third Countries: 1) United Kingdom, 2) Israel, 3) Russia, 4) United Arab Emirates, 5) Ukraine, 6) Jordan, 7) Lebanon, 8) Egypt, 9) Belarus, 10) Rwanda
In Gray Category (Special Permission), entry into the Republic of Cyprus is allowed only to the following categories of passengers:
- Cypriot citizens and members of their families (their foreign spouses and their minor children),
- European citizens, citizens of the European Economic Area (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) and Switzerland,
- Legal persons residing in the Republic,
- Persons entitled to enter the Republic in accordance with the Vienna Convention, and
- Persons of third country nationality, who are entitled to enter the Republic of Cyprus, after a special permit from the Republic of Cyprus as it is determined by the Decontamination (Definition of Measures to Prevent the Spread of Coronavirus COVID-19) Decree (No. 9) of 2021 https://www.pio.gov.cy/coronavirus/uploads/5474%2026%202%202021%20PARARTIMA%203o%20MEROS%20I.pdf , as in each case modified.
It is noted that passengers coming from the countries of this Category must have undergone a laboratory test by a recognized laboratory, with the sampling carried out during the last 72 hours before their trip to the Republic of Cyprus and have a certificate, proving negative PCR for COVID-19. With the exception of category 2, the other persons can, if they wish, carry out the laboratory test upon their arrival in the Republic of Cyprus, paying the cost of the laboratory test themselves.
Passengers arriving in the Republic of Cyprus from Gray Category (Special Permission) remain in a state of compulsory self-isolation or mandatory quarantine (quarantine) of fourteen (14) days or alternatively in a regime of mandatory self-isolation for 10 (mandatory quarantine) (10) ) days as long as they undergo a molecular test again for COVID-19 disease (at their own expense) on the 10th day and have a negative laboratory result. The result of the laboratory test will be sent to the email address monada@mphs.moh.gov.cy.
According to the Decontamination Decree (No. 9), dated 26 February 2021, until 31 March 2021 at 23.59 pm, persons arriving from the United Kingdom undergo a laboratory test upon arrival at Airports Larnaca and Paphos, and are transported at state expense, to hotels in the Republic for a mandatory limit of 7 days. On the 7th day of their arrival, they undergo a laboratory test again at the expense of the Republic and in case of a negative result, they continue to restrict themselves at home for a period of 3 additional days (total days of mandatory isolation: 10 days).
It is emphasized that all passengers, regardless of country category, are required to apply for CyprusFlightPass within 24 hours before the departure of their flight. In addition, for the purposes of ensuring Public Health and surveillance of the epidemiological picture, a COVID-19 sample molecular laboratory test will be performed on passengers of selected arriving flights.
It is noted that the above categorization of countries will be valid from today March 1, 2021.